Skelton very excited to rejoin Saracens
SYDNEY: Wallaby lock Will Skelton will leave Australian Super Rugby side the Waratahs at the end of the season to rejoin Saracens, the reigning European and English Premiership champions said yesterday.
Skelton made eight appearances over a two-month stint with Saracens before the start of the current Super Rugby season, and has returned to the club on a two-year deal.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Will is returning,” Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said in a statement.
“In a very short space of time here his contribution to the side was superb, he showed a real appetite to improve his game and he was very popular among all the players and staff.”
Skelton, who has 18 caps for Australia, said his decision to return to England had not been an easy one, not least because it would hamper his chances of being called up by his country.
“I am very excited to be returning to Saracens. This time around I am signing a longer-term deal, so it’s been a really big decision and one I haven’t made lightly,” he added.
“It’s not easy leaving the Waratahs and the Wallabies – Darryl Gibson and Michael Cheika have been fantastic for my career so far and I want to thank them for everything they have done for me, on and off the field.
“Not being able to pull on the gold jersey while I am playing in England has made the decision especially difficult, but this is about family as much as it is football.”
Skelton, pictured, is Sacarens’ fourth signing for the 2017-18 season, and joins Toulouse and France hooker Christopher Tolofua, England flank Calum Clark and Wales fullback Liam Williams at the club.
Meanwhile, the son of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland is one step closer to making his Super Rugby debut after being called into the Blues squad as injury cover.
Bryn Gatland, who plays as flyhalf for North Harbour in New Zealand’s provincial championship, was drafted into the Blues squad yesterday as cover for Ihaia West, who has been ruled out for up to four weeks with an ankle injury.
Umaga’s side could also introduce Sonny Bill Williams against the Highlanders on Saturday, depending on medical tests after a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained at the Rio Olympics delayed his debut for the team.