Fly-half extends stay with Allianz Park club ahead of new Aviva Premiership season

Ham & High: Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall (pic: Mike Egerton/PA)Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall (pic: Mike Egerton/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Saracens have been handed a boost ahead of the start of the new Avivia Premiership campaign on Saturday with the news that fly-half Owen Farrell has signed a new five-year deal with the club.

Since making his debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2008, the England international has since gone on to make 152 appearances in all competitions for the Allianz Park club.

In that time, Farrell has won multiple honours with the north Londoners, including three Avivia Premiership titles and two European Champions Cup wins.

Sarries begin their new campaign at Twickenham this weekend when they host Northampton Saints in the London Double Header.

And Farrell is hopeful of helping the Allianz Park club add to their trophy cabinet over the duration of his new deal.

“It’s an opportunity to hopefully grow with this group again for the next few years; to get better and improve on what we’ve already done,” he told the club website.

“We’ve known each other for such a long time now. We’re all best mates.

“To come through with them and be able to spend day in and day out with them, to share what we are doing, is the most important thing. This team’s got a long way to go still. To see how far we can take it is exciting.”

Farrell is unlikely to be involved this weekend, having spent his summer on tour with the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand.

The fly-half, though, will be in the stands at Twickenham, cheering his colleagues on against Saints.

When he does return to league action, Farrell will be a huge boost to Sarries’ chances of success in every game this term.

And in the 25-year-old, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall believes they have one of the leading stars currently in the game.

“Owen has developed into one of the leading players in world rugby since he graduated from the Saracens academy,” McCall told the club website.

“He is one of our own, so for him to commit his long-term future to the club is huge news – we’re delighted that he’ll be extending his stay.” “He continues to set the standards as a player both for Saracens and on the international scene.

“The whole club is looking forward to seeing him excel in a Saracens shirt over the coming years.”