McCall agrees new deal at Sarries

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has committed himself to the club for the next two seasons after agreeing a contract extension.

The former Ireland international, 45, joined Saracens in 2009 as first team coach and took over as rugby director when Brendan Venter left the role in January 2011.

McCall, who previously had a spell in charge of Ulster, picked up the baton seamlessly and guided Saracens to their first Aviva Premiership title with victory over Leicester in May of that year.

He also guided Saracens to the last eight of last season’s Heineken Cup, making them the only English club in the quarter-finals.

Despite the loss of trusted lieutenant Andy Farrell to the England set-up, McCall once again has Saracens in the hunt for the Premiership title this season as they sit second in the table.

They also top their Heineken Cup pool with two rounds of games remaining.