Sarries eye up Southend (From Echo)

Saracens eye up Southend

1:59pm Wednesday 6th June 2012 in Rugby Union By Chris Phillips

PREMIERSHIP rugby could be coming to Southend next season.

For big-hitting Saracens are considering holding some of their matches at Southend United’s Roots Hall ground.

The Men in Black, who currently play the majority of their home matches at Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium, are set to move to new ground in February.

But, before then they are keen to play in other areas of the country and, according to Saracens’ chief executive Edward Griffiths that could include Southend.

“What we are looking at doing is playing in areas where there has not yet been a Premiership rugby match,” said Griffiths.

“So, for example, Essex is one of our catchment areas and there are more rugby clubs in Essex than in any other county except for Yorkshire.

“There’s never been a Premiership rugby match in Essex, so we’ve looked at Roots Hall, which is the home of Southend United.

“The same goes with Kent and also with other areas closer to central London.

“There are a lot of hoops to go through but we are keen to play a game in Cape Town.

“It is possible that we might take some games and create events at one-off venues.

“It is also possible we might have between one and eight games at Vicarage Road but I think what we’ll end up with is a fantastically exciting season.”

Saracens, who also look set to play a couple of games at Wembley next season, boast a number of the country’s top players including England fly half Owen Farrell and winger Chris Ashton.

Former King John School pupil Jackson Wray was a regular in the Saracens side last term.

Comments are closed on this article.