Ben Earl gives his backing to the new Saracens captain

With long-time Saracens captain Owen Farrell having moved across the English channel at the end of last season, his leadership role at Saracens has now passed on.

Just last week it was announced that the giant second row, Maro Itoje, would be filling the boots of the charismatic former captain. While many people expected the responsibility to be passed onto England captain Jamie George, there can be no denying the credibility that Itoje brings to the role.

Speaking at the launch of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Ben Earl echoed the thoughts of head coach Mark McCall, saying: “It was just the obvious choice, really. When you think of Saracens, you think of Maro, he’s been and done it at almost every stage – Lions, World Cup final, multiple tours, nearly 100 Tests for England, countless games for Saracens.

“He’s done it all and the way he leads, the way he plays is exactly what we want to play as a team and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

With new leadership comes a buzz around camp, a new excitement in the air – an atmosphere that Earl is thrilled to be a part of.

“The club has been brilliant – the energy about the place, the youthfulness, the buzz that we’ve been getting about a new journey for this team is getting everyone really excited, so we can’t wait to get going,” the 26-year-old said.

“I just think we’ve lost so many players that made Saracens what it was. We kind of have to, as this new group, create our own story, our own narrative. It’s up to us to create a future for Saracens because the past has been and gone and it’s been amazing.

“Now we’ve got this responsibility to try and continue that and write our own futures, so I think that’s what’s getting everyone really excited. We’re going to do things a little bit differently; the way we play, the way we train, the way we are with each other. I think everything is going to be a little bit different and so, so good. Everyone seems to be really enjoying it.”

With many of the big names having exited the StoneX Stadium at the end of last season, there does become that little bit more pressure on the likes of Ben Earl to step up into a more senior role.

Speaking about his added responsibilities, he added: “The quickest way to get respect in the group is to train unbelievably hard and be a good person. I’ve tried not to change too much on that front, but there is going to be a bigger onus [on me] after losing the likes of Billy, Mako [Vunipola], Owen [Farrell].

“They’re game winners in their own right, those three, so there will have to be times when we as a senior group have to step up and produce in some clutch game. I think we’re well prepared for that challenge.

“The coaches have been brilliant. I think there’s an understanding that we’re a different group now that require different things and the way they’ve gone about it, the way they’ve approached training and the way they’ve presented to us, the way they’ve driven is so far has been fantastic.

“That’s all well and good but now the games start for us. That’s kind of when the first real test comes and we feel like we’ve got a good grasp of what we want to go for, playing-wise.”