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Tom Parton quits London Irish for Saracens

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Saracens have confirmed the signing of Tom Parton from London Irish for the 2023/24 season. The 24-year-old England prospect, who was part of some national team training squads in the lead-up to the summer tour to Australia, has made more than 70 appearances for the Exiles. “I’m really excited about this new challenge,” he said.

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“To be joining a club like Saracens is an honour and privilege. To learn from the best players in the world is an opportunity I can’t wait to get stuck into, and I look forward to playing in front of such a great fan base.”

Saracens boss Mark McCall added: “Tom is a player that we have admired over recent years and we are delighted that he will be joining us. He is a very smart player who has excelled with London Irish and we believe he will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

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Parton made his London Irish at the age of 18 when featuring against an Ospreys select team in the 2016/17 British and Irish Cup. His boss Declan Kidney said: “Tom has been a magnificent servant to London Irish in recent years and has been integral to helping the club reach new heights, as well being a fantastic mentor on the training ground at Hazelwood.

“I speak on behalf of the team when I say Tom leaving will be a loss for us, but I look forward to continuing our work with him for the rest of the season and I have every confidence that current members of our squad can step up when he leaves us at the end of the season.”

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Parton added: “Having been here from the age of 13 London Irish is all I have known, it has helped guide, mould, and shape me into the man that I am today. However, the time has come for me to experience a change and embrace a new and exciting opportunity. To the coaches, physios, and background staff at the club, thank you for all of your tireless work.

“Through all the ups and downs that this sport throws at us, you have always supported me. A massive thanks must also go to my teammates… And finally, to the London Irish supporters, without your tireless support, none of this would even be possible.

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“The constant noise and passion that you have brought is something that has blown me away from my first day here, and I know that there is still much more to cheer about on the club’s journey. London Irish will always be a special club to me so thank you all for making a childhood dream of mine come true.”

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H
Hellhound 5 minutes ago
Springboks reclaim Freedom Cup in titanic All Blacks clash

You said it. Very exciting end of year lined up. Not so much for the teams that have to face the Boks. The Boks after a WC tend to go along with quite a few losses due to rebuilding for the next WC. This time around they seem intent on beating everyone in front of them. A big shift mentally and the WC double was just the start. Not the end prize but just the beginning. How far can this Bok team go? They have depth and talent and power. They have x factor. They have x factor players. They have hybrid players in almost every position. They look like a car struggling to start, and yet still have enough to pull of a win. WHEN, not IF, this Boks team start to gel, who can stop them? They are a team walking, getting into rhythm. Will we see them gel and start jogging or running? How many gears do they have? They are not invincible. Not yet. With TB on attack, there is a massive difference in the Boks threat. The forwards just gets stronger and stronger. We are yet to see Cameron Hanekom and Wilco Louw and others who deserves to be part of this squad. So many youngsters that is already world class coming through not getting a look in. The Boks can easily put out 3 teams that can take a WC. Only a fool wouldn't rate this Bok team as great. The accolades speak for themselves. The NH is glued to the TV, watching tensely what's awaiting. They will be scared of what's coming their way. A team that makes 7 to 10 changes each game, and every replacement is as good or even better, is a nasty prospect to await. It's fearsome. What they see is not what they want. The most Bok haters is from the NH. Teams that claim they are the best, but definitely are not. Bragging rights is all that is up for grabs on the EOYT. The players won't show it, but they are scared. The coaches are scared. Any team that can change players like the Boks, is a mighty for. How many injuries is keeping players on the sidelines? Better players than in the current team?

131 Go to comments
T
TT 20 minutes ago
Springboks reclaim Freedom Cup in titanic All Blacks clash

Best team won ... again. 


At least the ref was very communicative & not trigger happy like last week. Some clearly wrong tackler/ruck calls. & Lomax yellow, FACT OF RULES IS a player has to change direction for that infringement. Lomax's feet didn't even move off his spot before Kolbe RAN, AT ANGLE, INTO HIM. NOR any Lomax arms for a classic clothesline. REwatch, blind if can't see it.

 

None of those wrong ref calls would have changed the result. Best team won.

 

Wake up Mr Razor & gang. Actually in fairness to Foster... Mr 50% [Fiji doesn't count] Razor. 


FORWARDS fine, except desperately need SR star SOTUTU. 


BACKLINE 3rd rate. NZ back stocks fantastic but Razor & gang asleep.  Changes needed, actually was needed pre-SAf, 


TJ, Reece GONE!

 

Reece?I was his biggest fan, BUT... Low impact & shouldhave been awarded SAf last try. Defensive vague out & didn’t even yell for obviously needed support on the blind. Lost the test . + a few other errors after similar in previous tests.

 

TJ? Ratima going fine. But Razor replaces him with Mr Shouty, TJ. STILL repeatedly warned be ref to shut it! Nothing professional about him.

 

Too late now Mr50% but need, AT LEAST [CONSERVATIVELY ]; 


{starting} 


9 {Ratima}/ Christie (ie waiting on Roigard!) 

10 {D.McKenzie }/ Plummer 

12 {J.Barrett}/ ALB 

13 {Proctor} ( backup R. Ioane) 

14 {Narawa}/ R. Ioane 

11 {C.Clarke} / Tele’a 

15 {W.Jordan} (backup J.Barrett) 

131 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 47 minutes ago
Scott Robertson reflects on the All Blacks’ Freedom Cup loss to Springboks

Razor was untouchable in a club competition that favours the AB's with no real competition. The Crusaders has been the main feeding trough for the ABs for a long time. Easier to stay strong and win against weaker club teams like Super Rugby Pacific. A great club coach doesn't make for a winning test coach. Rassie took over a Bok team that got flogged by everyone. He changed them around and created a winning team and culture. Razor took over a team that barely lost in a WC final. Massive difference between the 2 coaches and teams during transition phases. The question have to be asked...Is the problems in NZ rugby deeper than the team? Are they growing weaker due to coaching or competition? This 2 tests the AB's had it but lost it against a team that is swapping and changing continuesly. Changing that many players, no matter how good they are, you lose a lot of little things. In attack the Boks struggle to gel, they play in short bursts and currently is a team who rescue themselves through sheer power or broken play. Their mental strength is one of the biggest changes in the team. They find a way to win. They believe that they are the best but they are not letting it make them complacent. They know they are hard to beat and at any given day can lose. They are not the polished product and far from reaching their end goal. Rassie keeps shifting the goal posts. Making it harder for every player to keep their spot on the team. Fozzie was seen as the worst AB's coach, but he got them to the WC final. The NZRU would have been very happy that the AB's lost that final. What would it have looked like if they fired a coach they mocked, gave a hard time and fired long before the WC, if he won the WC? They are not good at their jobs. Just like with the Aussie board, this NZ board is failing upwards. How long before the AB's become the Wallabies? The players are trying hard, but they can do only so much. Razor is a coach of habit. He has his favourites. Is the current AB's team the best players in each position in the country? Or is there better players that don't get a look in? These players are not bad. The best though? Imagine what an Aki Bundee would have been able to do, and other players the AB's throw away for fun. Now they gain residency and play for other countries or go back to their Island nations and play for them. No matter how I look at it, NZ rugby is going backwards. I don't blame the players. NZ still produce world class players, but a lot of questions is left to answer. More than just a losing team. Razor should not have walked in as head coach. He should have been assistant to learn the ropes of international rugby. There is a vast difference between club and international rugby. Is the NZRU setting up Razor to fail?

4 Go to comments
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