Wing to join Sarries in summer from Aviva Premiership rivals

Saracens have signed wing Alex Lewington from London Irish on a contract starting in the 2018-19 season.

The 26-year-old has been one of the standout performers this term for the Exiles, who currently prop up the standings in the Aviva Premiership.

Lewington has notched six tries in the league this season, leading the way among his club colleagues.

The former Leicester Tigers man was a part of the Irish squad that won the Greene King IPA Championship last term, scoring five tries.

With a move to Sarries in the summer, though, Lewington will soon hope to replicate that form with the north Londoners.

“I’m looking forward to working with the squad and the world class talent that Saracens are lucky enough to have,” he told the club website.

“I’m also looking forward to working with the coaching team, and how they can improve my game.”

Lewington has made 24 clean breaks in the Aviva Premiership so far this term, the second most of any player in the competition.

Along with his try scoring exploits, that has led to calls of a call-up to Eddie Jones’ senior England team for the 26-year-old.

So far, Lewington’s only international experience came in the summer of 2016 when he turned out for England Saxons in South Africa.

But the wing believes the move to Saracens will help him develop into a better player.

“I’ve heard great things about the Saracens environment and I believe I will thrive within it —which should inspire me to push on and improve my game over the next couple of years,” he added.

Since joining Irish from Leicester in 2013, Lewington has been loyal to the Exiles’ cause.

The flyer stayed with the Reading-based club following their relegation from the Aviva Premiership in 2016, helping them return at the first time of asking by claiming the Championship crown.

And Lewington says he will look back fondly on his five-year spell with the Exiles when it ends this summer.

“I will of course miss London Irish. I’m eternally grateful as they gave me the chance to play Premiership rugby,” he said.

“I will miss my friends there, but I’m looking forward to building new relationships at Saracens”.