By Jason Harris
June 25 2002

Sarries coach Buck Shelford has brought in another New Zealand born front row forward. Johnny Marsters, formerly of Swansea, has joined the Men in Black on a two year deal. The former North Harbour player is familiar with Shelford as he was coach down there before joining Sarries and Shelford is pleased to have brought his former colleague of three years to Vicarage Road.

"Johnny plays in all three front row positions" Shelford said on the official press release. "where he acquits himself extremely well. He’s quality in the tight, but is also impressive around the park. He used to play for my old club North Harbour so I know what he can do from his time there, he has also played for the Natal Sharks. Not only is he a talented rugby player, but he also has good leadership qualities, having captained many of the teams that he’s played in"

Having also played for Natal Sharks alongside Sarries outside half Luke Smith, the 29 year Marsters confessed it was the chance to work once again with Shelford that stopped him from staying with the Great Whites:

"I was looking at signing for Swansea for another couple of seasons when I heard that Wayne was coming to the UK. Basically with me knowing Wayne as a coach and him knowing me as a player we got talking and he played a big part in me coming to the club. There's also the fact that my wife comes from Pinner so it's all worked out very well."

However, the array of stars already at the club finally tipped the balance in favour of Sarries over Swansea as far as Marsters was concerned.

"When I first came to England at Christmas in 2000 I went to watch Saracens play. They had a great squad with some very exciting players. To now have the chance to train and play alongside the likes of Richard Hill, Kyran Bracken, Thomas Castaignede and Tim Horan is really good. I have also played alongside some ex and currentSaracens players like Bill Davison, Jeremy Thomson and Luke Smith when I was with in South Africa so I know a fair amount about the club." said Marsters.

"I hope that I can further help the cause and think that I can add to the squad. I've got good leadership qualities, I'm a doer rather than a thinker, I like to get out there and do the job and let my actions on the field do the talking for me. I love scrummaging and with set phases being so crucial these days I certainly hope to make a difference. Next season is going to be a great challenge for us after last season's results and I can't wait to get started."

The Saracens squad jigsaw gets ever closer to being completed and this latest acquisition does not take up a non-EU player berth. It is certain that there will be some more signings before pre-season training camp begins on 15 July. Just where in the side they will play is now questionable after Saracens have now signed three versatile front row forwards in just over a month.