Winnan given professional contract

By Jason Harris
July 12 2002

Teenage fullback sensation Adryan Winnan has been given a three year professional contract by Saracens. This ends speculation that the Cornishman was to leave the club to attend univertisy in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

After breaking into the Saracens first team as emergency cover for the injured Thomas Castaignede last season, the 19 year old's performances exceeded all expectations and he became a regular on the Sarries team sheet.

Winnan is very pleased to be offered this new contract and is ever-mindful that he may not get as many chances in the coming season if the Castaignede remains fit.

"Obviously with Thomas back he will be the number one choice, but I'm still learning and will be pushing him hard all the way."

It is certain that mercurial Frenchman will be pushed all the way by a player whose spectacular first season in the Zurich Premiership netted him both the Saracens Young Player of the Year award and the Fans' Player of the Year. And Winnan is grateful for the way the supporters continued to back the side during a difficult period for the club.

"It was really great to get the Fans' award at the end of the season, I really didn't expect it and next season, after the way that they stuck by us, it's our chance to pay them back."

Like so many others in the Sarries squad, the youngster is pleased to have had two months off from rugby, but that time has been spent working on fitness as well as taking some well deserved rest.

Sarries coach Wayne Shelford is out to strike the vital balance between youth and experience and thinks having the likes of Winnan in the squad will keep the more experienced players sharp. Of Winnan, Shelford said:

"He's a very talented and enthusiastic player and has a very bright future ahead of him. What we have to do is make sure that he doesn't pick up too many bad habits at this young age and works hard on his skill levels."

The New Zealander is keen to ensure that his new signing is not burned out too early and he will ensure that the player's development is just as important as first team starts.

"We also have to make sure that it's quality we get from him and not quantity. At his age it's very easy to expect too much too soon and over play him when he should be spending more time developing."

More good news, then, for the Men in Black who are heading for the new season in a very positive frame of mind. The first action scheduled is a visit to the Henley 7s on 10 August followed a week later by a visit to Twickenham for the Middlesex Charity 7s. A two match tour to Japan kicks off on 18 August and there is a possibility that there will be a friendly match at Vicarage Road on 10 or 11 August against French championship runners-up Agen. However, that game is yet to be confirmed.