Saracens forward backs mini tour plan (From Times Series)

Saracens forward Saull backs plan to take matches to Essex and Kent

10:20am Friday 6th July 2012 in Sport By Simon Mail

Saracens and England Saxons forward Andy Saull has backed the club's plan to stage matches around London next season.

Sarries are hoping to take games to Essex and Kent in the first half of the season before their move to Copthall in February. Southend United and Charlton are understood to be two venues which the club are keen on using for matches.

Saull said: ""I'm an Essex boy so I want to get as many games in Essex as I possibly can. I think it's brilliant. We're the type of players who like to go outside of their comfort zone and perform better when given challenges.

"It's a very different environment and as a rugby player you want to play at as many different stadiums and experience as many crowds as you can across your career. It's an excellent idea playing across London and I for one am really looking forward to it."

Saull was speaking at the opening of the new jump track at Copthall.

Saracens paid for the facility, which is understood to have cost £200,000, as part of their move to the athletics stadium.

It is the first phase of Saracens' £20m revamp of the venue which is also the home of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers.

Saull said: "It's great to see the building work underway and it's going to be a fantastic stadium if Edward Griffiths [chief executive] has anything to do with it and I know he's heavily involved. I know it's going to be an amazing stadium.

"You go to Leicester and Bath and places like that have that feel about them. They're intimidating places and always full. Every single seat is taken and everyone is there to watch the rugby.

"So to finally have a location and our own stadium that we can do what we want with is brilliant. It's certainly going to make the team perform better and going to make the club and the brand grow. It's a step in the right direction."