Saracens have announced that Mike Rhodes, who was expected to depart Allianz Park, has signed a new contract.
The 32-year-old, who arrived in north London in 2015, has now decided to stay and help Sarries get back to the Gallagher Premiership, putting pen to paper on a new one-year deal.
🗞️ Saracens is pleased to announce @MikeRhodes7 has extended his contract at the club!#TogetherSaracens ⚫️🔴
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) July 27, 2020
He featured 27 times in his debut season at Sarries, helping Mark McCall’s side to an historic European and domestic double.
The following season Rhodes starred in the Men in Black’s successful Champions Cup defence and his efforts were recognised by his teammatesas he was crowned Players’ Player of the Year.
A popular figure within the squad and with supporters, the 32-year-old is justseven games away from joining the Saracens 100 Club and is looking forward to getting back out on the field after a long-term back injury.
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“I feel very privileged to have added another year to my contract here,” he said.
“It’s a place my family and I have really come to love over the past six years. We’ve obviously had some really good seasons; I’ve made a lot of good friends and I’ve just really enjoyed the way things are at the club.
“I want to put emphasis on actually enjoying my rugby. This season has been a long one; I’ve only been able to play one game so far and hopefully I get a couple more under my belt.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
An England XV for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
This is how we have predicted it might play out…
15. Josh Hodge
- Current number of caps: 0
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 23
One of England’s most exciting upcoming talents, the fullback is built in the same mould as All Black Damian Mckenzie. Safe under the high ball and blessed with incredible pace, expect him to play a key role for Newcastle Falcons in the Championship this season before returning to the Premiership ready to make a bid for international honours.
14. Joe Cokanasiga
- Current number of caps: 9
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 25
Eddie Jones summed up what Joe Cokanasiga brings to the party when asked about his first inclusion in the England set up back in 2017. ‘He’s big and he’s fast,’ said the England coach. He’s not wrong and we expect him to be hitting his peak in 2023..
13. Joe Marchant
- Current number of caps: 3
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27
A black belt in karate and also a former England schools finalist in gymnastics which would suggest the centre is blessed with power and poise! Has been involved in Eddie Jones’s squad in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and is someone we’d expect to step up heading into the 2020 Six Nations and beyond.
12.Owen Farrell
- Current number of caps: 83
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Will be one of the sides elder statesmen, captaining the squad at a second straight Rugby World Cup. Will be the goalkicker, allowing the talented Marcus Smith to run the show from 10.
11. Ollie Thorley
- Current number of caps: 0
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27
A World Rugby U20 Championship winner in 2016, Thorley has pace, power and an eye for the try line. Was unlucky not to be considered for the 2019 squad but if he continues to score lots of tries and constantly improves he could be a key player for England in four years time.