Andy Goode about to sign?

By Jason Harris
May 28 2002

Leicester and England A outside half Andy Goode is about to sign for Saracens, according to reports in Tuesday's Telegraph newspaper. Also, Sarries hooker Robbie Russell has withdrawn from Scotland's North American tour party due to a back injury.

Goode, left out of the Tigers starting line-up for the Heineken Cup Final last weekend has been a Saracens and Wasps target for some weeks now. If the report is true, it would be a fillip for Sarries as one of their main problems since turning professional has been acquiring stability at stand-off.

Not since Micheal Lynagh retired in 1998 have the men in Black had an outside half stay with them for more than one season. Andy Lee, (though Lee was at Sarries before the arrival of the legendary Australian) Alain Penaud, Thierry Lacroix, Mark Mapletoft, Duncan McRae, Jannie DeBeer and Luke Smith have all played bit parts in Sarries incresingly poor shows over the past four seasons.

The arrival of a young and talented no10 on a long-term contract would be just the way to start the new season under incoming director of rugby Wayne Shelford. The rebuilding process has already begun with the signings of Craig Quinnell and Christian Califano, but a pivotal fly half is essential if Sarries are going to return to the right half of the table.

We await the news with bated breath and hope that the hacks at the Torygraph have got it right!

Meanwhile, Russell will have the summer off to recover from his bad back and will once again be looking for that starting no2 shirt next season.