McCall and backroom team sign new deals at Saracens and it may not be good news for England

Premiership champions Saracens have agreed a contract extensions for Mark McCall and six of his backroom staff including Alex Sanderson, who had been heavily linked to England.

England are looking for a defence coach after the departure of Paul Gustard to Harlequins and Sanderson had been hotly tipped to fill the void.

Gustard will leave after England’s three-match tour of South Africa and Jones will be keen to find a replacement with the World Cup in Japan a little over a year away.

Jones has picked up three backroom staff from Saracens during his tenure with England – Gustard, Steve Borthwick and Rory Teague – however Sanderson won’t be his fourth.

Saracens wasted little time in tying up their coaching team, just three days after they beat defending Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs 27-10 at Twickenham.

50-year-old McCall joined Sarries in 2009 before taking up his current position as Director of Rugby midway through the 2010/11 campaign, leading the Men in Black to an Aviva Premiership crown in that season.

They have since won three English titles – the latest a thrilling victory over the Chiefs on Saturday – as well as back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 2015/16 and 2016/17.

Sanderson is joined by Phil Morrow, Kevin Sorrell, Joe Shaw, Ian Peel and Dan Vickers in agreeing agreed new deals.

Chairman Nigel Wray said: “It’s great news that they have all re-signed. They’re a team within a team; a group of friends together – they’re my friends.

On Monday centre Brad Barritt committed his future for a further two seasons.

The 31-year-old joined Saracens 10 years ago and made his debut against Gloucester in November 2008.

The Sarries captain was named 2009/10 Player of the Season and won his first Aviva Premiership title the following year.

He earned the first of his 26 England caps in 2012 and was later called up to the British & Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia.

Barritt was instrumental in Saracens securing their second league crown in 2014/15 before assuming skippering duties on a permanent basis after leading the Men in Black to a domestic and European cup double.

The South African-born man then spearheaded Sarries to a second Champions Cup success last term and helped the Allianz Park outfit reclaim the Premiership on Saturday.

Part of the club for so long, Barritt says it was an easy decision to extend his stay in north London.

“It’s pretty much a no-brainer for me,” he told Saracens.com.

“Being part of Saracens has been an amazing journey and I’m really pleased to be able to extend my time at the club. I think the hallmark of our success as a club over the past few years has been the stability and the consistency of the squad we’ve kept together so I’m delighted to stay on the train and be part of this fantastic club. It feels as much as a family as it does a rugby club.”

Director of Rugby Mark McCall welcomed the news and said: “Since Brad joined in 2008, he has made an extraordinary contribution on and off the field. He leads by example and is hugely respected by his teammates and staff. He epitomises all the qualities we want to see in our players and has played a crucial role in the continuing development of the team.

“We’re delighted he’s committed his future to the club.”