Saracens’ Duncan Taylor admits he sometimes has to pinch himself as he looks back over a whirlwind 18 months – and he is keen to stay on the international scene with Scotland ahead of the World Cup in 2015.

The centre has enjoyed a dramatic rise which has taken him from the Championship with Bedford Blues to the Premiership with Saracens – and then a call-up to the Scottish national team.

“I’ve had more than a few moments where I ask myself ‘how the hell did I get here?’. It’s been a brilliant experience so far in my career and I feel that I am really starting to fine-tune my game,” explained the 25-year-old.

“I’m really enjoying life and enjoying playing rugby. I’m lucky that I am at an amazing club working alongside some really good people so, in that respect, things are going really well at the moment.”

Taylor faces stiff competition in the centres in the Saracens squad but, with team-mates Brad Barritt, Marcelo Bosch and Tim Streather all having spells on the sidelines through injury this season, he’s been a near-ever present in the side.

“There is so much quality here at the club, throughout the squad,” he added. “The team is littered with top-class players and you are always fighting to be in the first XV. Competition is healthy and that is a great sign for the club as a whole.”

Over the Christmas period, Saracens travel to Newcastle Falcons on Saturday before welcoming London Irish to Allianz Park on January 3.

And, for Taylor, he knows an extended run in the Saracens team will only aid his international ambitions as Scotland look ahead to the Rugby World Cup next September.

“I’d love to keep playing for Scotland, and to do that I need to keep getting game time here and playing good rugby to get into the Saracens team,” he said. “That’s the main aim for me, and if I do that, the rest will hopefully follow suit.

“I’m pretty happy about where I’m at in terms of my form at the moment. I’m really enjoying my rugby but I’m looking to continue progressing this season and really kick on.”

Meanwhile, Saracens’ Jack Wilson has signed for The Sharks in Durban, with the New Zealander immediately joining the Super XV squad.

The winger, 25, arrived in London in December 2012 and scored six tries in 19 appearances for the Hendon outfit.

Sarries’ director of rugby Mark McCall said: “Jack has made an excellent impression, but he would like to return to the southern hemisphere and seize this opportunity in South Africa. Our policy is always to align the interests of the club with the interests of the player, and we will not stand in his way.”

Wilson said: “I’ve had a fantastic time at Saracens, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to be part of this special club.”