Press Release: 10th July 2008

Southend rugby club now has a formal agreement with Premiership giants Saracens. The aim of the agreement is to benefit the development of both clubs players and to assist in talent identification and recruitment processes. Southend RFC will profit by periodically having Saracens players on loan whilst Saracens will reap the advantage of being able to offer good consistent rugby that is available in National Division 2 to those players who find themselves outside of the Premiership match day squad.

Eddie Jones, the former Australian National team head coach and now director of rugby at Saracens, has already visited Warners Bridge and was impressed by the ethos, ambition and facilities that Southend Rugby Club possess.

Whilst the agreement will obviously help improve on the field performances the partnership also allows Southend to benefit from Saracens expertise on matters such as coaching, fitness and conditioning and medical principles as well as administrative and commercial assistance.

Ben Green, Southend Director of Rugby, said "Over the last few seasons we have fostered an informal relationship between the two clubs with Saracens and Barbarians player Kris Chesney coaching our forwards as well as players such as Stefan North and Mike Stanley being loaned for us at various times last season. This agreement has cemented this relationship and will allow us to develop closer ties with Sarries that are mutually beneficial."

Southend RFC plays their rugby in National Division II, only two levels below the top flight of English rugby. This puts Southend in the top 35 clubs in the country and currently one of the highest placed clubs in the whole of the Eastern Counties. Home games are staged at Warners Bridge Park on the Temple Farm Industrial estate and new support is most welcome! The first league game of the season is at home against Cornish side Launceston on 6th September 08.