By Jason Harris
June 6 2002

Wayne Shelford talks straight about what Saracens must do next season in order to compete with the very best. And that starts immediately with some benchmark fitness tests at Bramley Road. When asked at Thursday's press conference to announce Reebok's new kit agreement with the club and the arrival of Andy Goode what the first thing he would be doing to get Saracens back on track, Shelford said "To teach them how to tackle". It's obvious to Buck, as he is affectionately known around the rugby world, that the basics such as set piece, tackling and ball retention are areas that need immediated action before he can contemplate more complex manouvers.

Before the squad is given three weeks total rest by the former All Black, he has insisted that every member is assessed for fitness so a benchmark is set. This will be the starting point for ongoing assessment beginning on 15 July.

Not only will the assessment be for the pre-season, but it will continue throughout the playing season as Shelford looks to get the best from his boys. Speed and aerobic assessments will take place and every player will also be assessed on his skills and devlopment. Buck is keen to give every player an individually tailored plan that will keep the player both interested and up to scratch during the entire season.

Several topics were covered in the post-conferece scrum from Tim Horan's involvement to who the new backs coach will be.

Shelford said categorically that Tim Horan will not be on the coaching staff for next season, citing that he would like Horan to concentrage upon his own game and those of the younger players out there in midfield during the game.

Thomas Castaignede will be used as a fullback, stand-off and centre from time to time, but with the recruitment of Goode, it looks like the number 15 will be on the back of the little Frenchman's shirt next season at the expense of the talented Adey Winnan.

The question "who will be the backs coach" was asked and Buck was very quick to say "me!", adding that Tim Wright (assistant coach) and Mike Yates (fitness) will still be helping out. The belief that Saracens will be a force durin the next season is certainly there and Shelford believes that he is just one or two pieces away from completing the Sarries squad jigsaw.

Those two pieces are still to be confirmed, but one of them is sure to be a new tight-head prop, for whom he is already looking. A new backs coach has not been ruled out, but that particular place is not at the top of Buck's shopping list.

Shelford and Sarries now go into the summer break still with some uncertainties, but it is hoped that the backroom team of Deakin and Lawler will straighten out the issues surrounding the likes of Benazzi, DeBeer and others before training begins in earnest next month.