Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Matt Gallagher has chosen PRO14 rugby ahead of the Championship with Saracens

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saracens’ adjustment to life as the club who will be relegated from the Gallagher Premiership at the end of this season continues, the latest development being the departure of Matt Gallagher to Irish province Munster. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The salary cap-bursting Londoners have been busy formulating plans for how they will tackle the Championship and they will now do so without a youngster who has had a nine-year spell at Saracens, starting in the junior academy at the age of 14 before rising through the ranks and into Mark McCall’s first team.  

“I’m really sad to be leaving Saracens after nine great years,” said Gallagher. “This place has been a major part of my life for so long and I feel extremely proud to have represented Saracens; it was what I set out to do when I joined the junior academy at 14.

“The memories I’ve made will stay with me for a very long time and I’ve made lifelong friends who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing the journey with.

“There are so many people who have helped me progress to where I am now. I’m excited for a new challenge but will be forever grateful to Sarries for giving me an opportunity.”

(Continue reading below…)

Ex-Scotland international Jim Hamilton chooses the all-time Six Nations XV that he played against

Video Spacer

Despite lifting the under-20s World Cup with England in 2016, Gallagher, the son of 1987 World Cup winner John, is Irish qualified and has ambitions of playing internationally with Ireland.  

ADVERTISEMENT

Saracens boss McCall said: “It’s been a pleasure to watch Matt’s development during his time at the club. He has progressed greatly in the past couple of seasons and now a new challenge awaits. We’d like to wish him the best of luck with his move to Ireland.”

WATCH: The new global tournament that World Rugby is hoping will come to fruition

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 31 minutes ago
England player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

As has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.


Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.


That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.


You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).

7 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Joe Schmidt explains reasoning behind dropping Joseph Suaalii Joe Schmidt explains reasoning behind dropping Joseph Suaalii
Search