Saracens sign a Wasps prop but it isn't a return for Vincent Koch

Gallagher Premiership leaders Saracens have signed a prop from Wasps – but it isn’t their old StoneX Arena crowd favourite Vincent Koch. The Springboks tighthead was confirmed last December as a new signing by the Coventry-based club after six seasons in London, but he was made redundant on October 17 without ever playing a match for his new team.

Koch spent his recent months away on Rugby Championship duty with South Africa and he was ill when Wasps played Northampton at the end of his first week at the club on October 9. That was the last match Wasps played before they were suspended by the RFU and with 167 players and staff made redundant eight days later, the former Saracens front-rower has since been linked with moves to France and elsewhere in the Premiership.

Koch was spotted in Paris last Saturday attending a Top 14 match featuring Stade Francais, who are interested in singing him, but he could yet stay in England as he was also linked on Tuesday with a move to Sale, the club that will take on Saracens this Sunday in London in the Premiership.

Whatever about the future for Koch, Saracens has bolstered their front row options by instead snapping up Robin Hislop. A statement read: “Saracens are pleased to confirm the signing of Robin Hislop from Wasps on a short-term deal. The loosehead prop has returned to the club after he had a spell on loan at StoneX Stadium in 2020, where he made three appearances (this was a stint he spoke to RugbyPass at length about in April 2021).

“The 30-year-old has plenty of experience after spells at Edinburgh, Rotherham, Doncaster Knights and Wasps, and he has also represented his country Scotland at age-grade level. Hislop will add further depth to the number one department at Saracens, with the likes of Mako Vunipola, Eroni Mawi, Ralph Adams-Hale and James Flynn all competing for the shirt.”

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: “Of course, we are all very sad to see what has happened at Wasps and we wish everyone there all the best. Robin is well respected within our group from his previous short spell with us and his game has gone to a new level over the last few seasons. We are all looking forward to working with him again.”

Hislop added: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Sarries. It’s a great club, with a big focus on making people better. I’m excited to get started and fly into it.”