FALCONS SWOOP FOR SAULL
Saull, 24, who has represented England at Under-16, Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Saxons level, joins former teammates Adam Powell and Noah Cato on Tyneside.
Making his Saracens debut against Sale Sharks in 2008, the London-born back-row has made more than 100 appearances for the Allianz Park club, during which time he was a member of the England Under-20s team that won the 6 Nations Grand Slam as well as making his Saxons bow against Portugal at Edgeley Park in 2009.
Progressing through Saracens’ academy system, Saull made his first team debut against Bristol in the EDF Energy Cup just months after completing his A-Levels, and quickly earned himself the reputation as one of the best openside flankers in the country.
“I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing for Newcastle Falcons, and I have heard nothing but good things about the place from Adam [Powell] and Noah [Cato],” said Saull, who was speaking from his training base in London.
“They told me how professional the set-up is up there under Dean Richards, and there are certainly big plans in place at the club to go all the way to the top.
“There will undoubtedly be competition for a place in the back-row, and I will be putting in the hard work week in and week out in order to establish myself in the starting XV,” he added.
Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Andy is a fantastic signing, who has the potential to achieve big things in the game.
“He has benefited from an excellent rugby education with Saracens, coming through their academy and going on to play alongside a string of world-class players.
“I am thrilled that we have secured Andy’s services.”
Saull is the Falcons’ third acquisition for the 2013-14 season after experienced international scrum-half Mike Blair and Harlequins fly-half Rory Clegg signed on the dotted line.
