Wray stays at Sarries to build for the future

JACKSON Wray wants to become a leading figure in Saracens’ revival after extending his contract until 2023.

- NEALE HARVEY

Along with fellow academy products Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Maro Itoje, long-serving back-rower Wray is plotting a trophy-laden future at Allianz Park, as well as continuing to plan for life after rugby in the sports mentoring role he is developing alongside it.

While a year in the Championship beckons, Saracens remain intent on causing damage in Europe as a Champions Cup quarter-final showdown with Leinster draws closer.

Wray, 29, told The Rugby Paper: “We know we won’t be playing in the Champions Cup for at least a couple of years so it’s an opportunity for us to leave an indelible mark on the competition.

“We’ve obviously lost some players but we’ve still got an unbelievably strong squad with some cracking leaders in this side like Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Maro Itoje, so we’re really looking forward to priming ourselves for some big games.”

Wray, whose work with ‘Sharp Skills Coaching’ involves advising young players in rugby and football, in which he has close ties with West Ham United and Fulham, says leaving Saracens was never on his agenda as he looks to add to a glittering haul of silverware.

Wray said: “We were looking at my contract before everything got locked down and I always wanted to extend it, so it made sense to do it now. I had no hesitation at all because we want to try and build again and win stuff for years to come.