Buck Shelford

By Jason Harris
April 25 2002

Press reports today indicate that Wayne Shelford is to sign a 3 year deal with Sarries and to start work right away to ensure that his new side stays in the Zurich Premiership. Also, it's been hinted by Tim Horan that Thomas Castaignede could return to the fold as early as this weekend.

The club are their usual tight-lipped selves right now and but for Tim Horan claiming that Castaignede is chomping at the bit and desperate to get back into action, the rest must be seen as speculation at the moment.

Rugby hacks from far and wide are confident that Shelford's contract will be signed on Friday, by which time the All Black legend will have already donned his tracksuit, they say.

Sarries CEO Peter Deakin was quoted by the Guardian on Thursday "He's [Shelford's] not going to be too familiar with all the players, so we're going to have to try and help him. Ultimately, though, accountability has to be on his shoulders. His agent told me: 'Don't go signing any more players'."

Intereting words. If Shelford does roll up at Bramley Road between now and Saturday, it will be fascinating to see what he makes of the current playing staff and which names will no longer be here next season. And whether he'll have any input into the Northampton gameplan.

Greg Smith, meanwhile, has appartenly left the club after his brief stint as Performance Director didn't work out. Allegedly the former Wallaby coach didn't have "charisma" the club required. Neither did Francois Pienaar: we all know Frankie drove a Mercedes!

Getting back to serious matters, Thomas Castaignede's desperation to play is a very good sign for Saracens. If Castaignede is named for the squad to face Northatmpton, the injury nightmare will have finally ended for the flamboyant Frenchman. What is a crying shame, however, is the fact that after two whole seasons, we will still be waiting for the Castaignede/Horan double act to take to the field.

Hopefully TC will sign the new deal that's been on the table for months and that Horan, knee drained and wrist repaired, will finally link up with him. Roll on next season!