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Latest Saracens articles

Saracens’ Brendan Venter takes aim at ‘autocratic’ Prem over media duties

Saracens’ Brendan Venter takes aim at ‘autocratic’ Prem over media duties

Technical director held court at club’s training base, comparing rugby to winemaking and claiming interviews ‘steal my joy’ Brendan Venter began his long-awaited public appearance with head bowed, uttering one-word answers and with a general demeanour he would rather be anywhere else. By the end he had compared Prem Rugby to an “autocracy”, mentioned Ukraine and Gaza, and detailed an inspirational talk he recently gave at a school. Of course there was wine to talk, too. An audience with Saracens’ technical director and head of culture is rarely boring and the latest was worth the wait. Continue reading...

GazaPremPrem Rugby
Oct 7, 2026 · byThe Guardian
Committed Sale bounce back to beat Saracens despite Vermeulen red card

Committed Sale bounce back to beat Saracens despite Vermeulen red card

Saracens 17-21 Sale Jibulu, O’Flaherty and Bamber among Sale try-scorers After a deeply disappointing opening weekend this was much more like it from Sale’s perspective. Committed and cussed from start to finish, the Sharks ultimately deserved this unexpected success over a Saracens side who seldom made it beyond second gear, even against opponents who were reduced to 13 at one stage in the first quarter. Tries for Nathan Jibulu, Tom O’Flaherty and Ben Bamber, underpinned by the experience of George Ford and Tom Curry, proved enough to overcome a patchy Saracens, despite the loss of Jacques Vermeulen to a 20-minute red card after just 17 minutes. To compound Sarries’ pain, their England international duo of Theo Dan and Elliot Daly departed prematurely in the second half while Alfie Barbeary lasted only 40 minutes. Continue reading...

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EnglandSaracensVermeulen
Oct 4, 2026 · byThe Guardian
Saracens overcome adversity to battle back and edge Leicester in 12-try thriller

Saracens overcome adversity to battle back and edge Leicester in 12-try thriller

Leicester 38-40 Saracens Visitors hold on despite Isiekwe’s 20-minute red card At the full-time whistle, Brendan Venter let out a roar of delight. Until then the South African had been on his best behaviour, but after beginning his return to the Saracens hotseat with a nail-biting victory against Leicester, Venter could no longer hold it in. It no doubt felt all the sweeter at Welford Road, having 16 years ago been slapped with a lengthy ban for making inappropriate and provocative gestures at the Tigers faithful. A celebratory swagger had been a long time coming and who could deny the director of rugby after Saracens overcame Nick Isiekwe’s 20-minute red card to edge this 12-try thriller. Continue reading...

LeicesterSaracens
Sep 27, 2026 · byThe Guardian
Northampton lead Prem charge but history shows title defence will be no simple task | Robert Kitson

Northampton lead Prem charge but history shows title defence will be no simple task | Robert Kitson

Boosted by retaining Henry Pollock, champions are eager to keep improving but a revitalised Saracens and Exeter should push them all the way It used to be simple. Win the Prem once and people would assume it was just the beginning. At various times no one could dethrone Bath, Leicester or Saracens, serial winners by fair means or foul. And now? It is so long since any club defended their English domestic title that “doubling up” feels almost as quaint as reading a physical newspaper or chatting up a complete stranger in the pub. Which explains why Northampton’s Phil Dowson, whose side are chasing a third title in four years, is keen to draw a distinct line under what happened last season. Yes, the Saints were unplayably good on occasions and deservedly claimed the trophy in June . But that was then. The last team to win two in a row were Saracens in 2019, shortly before the salary cap small print intervened. Continue reading...

Premneutral
Exeter ChiefsNorthampton SaintsPrem
Sep 24, 2026 · byThe Guardian
Prem Rugby 2026-27: the essential club-by-club guide to the new season

Prem Rugby 2026-27: the essential club-by-club guide to the new season

Bath have a point to prove, Newcastle are shy of an A-lister and Aaron Wainwright could prove the signing of the summer at Welford Road The 2025 champions go into the new campaign with a point to prove after they were humbled on home turf by Exeter in last season’s semi-finals. Successfully defending the title is no easy task – it has not been done since Saracens in 2019 – but last season’s failure to return to Twickenham should stiffen the sinews in Johann van Graan’s squad. There is a World Cup at the end of the campaign and plenty in Bath’s squad also have a point to prove to Steve Borthwick – the centres Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh, and Ted Hill chief among them. Recruitment has been kept to a minimum, but the arrival of Dan du Preez adds some more Springbok beef. Losing Thomas du Toit, who has returned to South Africa, is a huge blow, but Will Stuart’s return after a lengthy layoff due to an achilles injury softens it somewhat. If they finish in the top two Bath would forgo a home semi-final with the Rec finally undergoing much-needed refurbishment, which could ultimately count against them. Expect them to be in the mix. Continue reading...

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BathExeter ChiefsNewcastle
Sep 23, 2026 · byThe Guardian