Saracens set to Jack up scrum

From correspondents in London
March 06, 2007

NEW Zealand lock Chris Jack could be the next player from Super 14 champion the Crusaders to make a move to the English Premiership after Saracens announced overnight it had held preliminary talks with him.

The 28 year old, who has 57 caps for the All Blacks, will be available after the Rugby World Cup as he is in the final year of his contract with the New Zealand and Tasman Rugby Unions.

"We have been talking but it's still very early days in terms of the negotiations," Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry said.

"He'd add lots of balance to the squad. It'd be great if we could get him."

Jack's former All Blacks captain Taine Randell, who ended his association with Saracens last season, said he thought the move would be a good one for the player, who has scored four tries in his Test career which saw him make his debut against Argentina in June 2001.

"They are going very well this season, they seem to have got a good mix management-wise and I think Chris will do really well at Saracens," he said.

The Crusaders already lost former All Black greats Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens to European teams while Aaron Mauger has also made the move.

Agence France-Presse