Saracens sign Rebels scrum-half

Saracens have today announced the signing of Nic Stirzaker on a three-month deal.

Nic will be with the club until March and plies his trade as a scrum-half. London-born Stirzaker was raised in Australia from the age of two and has played a crucial role for the Rebels since starting his career with the Super Rugby side in 2012.

The 26-year-old captained the Melbourne Rising team to victory in the inaugural National Rugby Championship in 2014 and enjoyed a breakout 2015 season, scoring his first Super Rugby tries and becoming a stalwart in the Rebels team.

He was made captain of the Melbourne Rebels Super-Rugby outfit in 2016 and became the youngest Rebels player to reach 50 appearances last year.

Stirzaker has internationally represented the Barbarians, playing for the invitational side in the autumn of 2017 before joining up with Saracens at the end of the year.

He makes his arrival at Saracens as the team prepares to take on a busy schedule, starting with a trip to Coventry to face Wasps followed by a crucial double-bill in the Champions Cup with games against Ospreys and Northampton Saints.

Stirzaker said: “I’ve settled in really well, St Albans is a cool place; the club’s been really great and it’s a cool bunch of guys. The last couple of games have been two good wins so it’s a good place to be around.

“I’m looking forward to learning from some really quality players here as well as learning from the way the team plays; the game is based around a kick-chase and accurate kicking which is something I’m really keen to develop.”

Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “Nick’s an experienced player, he’s got 60 Super Rugby caps which is a lot for a young man.

“He’s a very exciting scrum-half with great passing ability, great running ability and with Henry Taylor out for the rest of the season and with Richard Wigglesworth’s recent injury we fell a little bit vulnerable in that area, so it’s great to be able to bring Nick’s quality across.”