Will Skelton pens new Saracens deal, effectively ending a return to the Wallabies Gold

Saracens have announced that second rower Will Skelton has committed to the Premiership club signing a two-year contract.

The deal effectively ends any hopes of the lock featuring for the Wallabies in the Rugby World, with the Wallabies having already announced their squad, and the 'Giteau Law' preventing him from representing Australia.

Skelton initially moved to north London on a short-term deal from the Waratahs in December 2016 and made a particular impact in Europe as Sarries retained their Champions Cup crown.

The 6ft 8in lock returned to Australia to compete in the 2017 Super Rugby competition before flying back to England to link up with the Men in Black on a permanent basis ahead of the 2017/18 campaign. 

He helped Mark McCall’s side to their fourth Premiership title and a transforming summer led to him playing a pivotal part in the club’s domestic and European double last season, subsequently earning the Australian Saracens Players’ Player of the Year.

Skelton and his wife, Kate, are settled in the area, a contributing factor to him remaining a Sarrie.

“My wife is happy here, we’re both happy,” he said.

“She’s playing rugby as well and enjoying it. She’ll take it a little bit more seriously next year and having two years is a bit more security for us as a family and we can focus on other things aside from rugby.” 

Skelton added: “I’m very stoked about it. It’s an opportunity to get better and it’s a blessing to do something you enjoy. 

“I enjoy being in the boys’ company, the coaches are great and coming into working and enjoying your job is the main reason why we stayed. 

“Having the opportunity to stay here was almost a no-brainer for me. Having this culture of working hard and having great people around me made it an easy decision.”