By Jason Harris
July 22 2002

Sarries will be travelling far and wide and sometimes be in two places at once in a busy pre-season playing schedule that will take them to the banks of the Thames, the land of the rising sun, the home of rugby and, possibly, Vicarage Road! The new-look Men in Black are due to kick-off their 2002-03 campaign with participation in the Internaional Henley 7s on Saturday 10 August

The Henley tournament features many big names among its entrants. Other Zurich Premiership sides taking part are London Wasps, Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers. Also in the draw will be rugby league World Club Champions the Bradford Bulls and Middlesex 7s title holders, the Army. Plus, there will be many other international players representing several invitiation sides.

More information about the tournament can be found at www.henleyrugbyclub.org.uk

On the same weekend, it is possible that Saracens could play a friendly match at Vicarage Road against French championship runners-up Agen. However, this re-match for the Philippe Sella trophy, won last year by the Frenchmen 38-6, has yet to be confirmed.

The following weekend, Sarries set off for Japan for a two-match tour, beginning with a game against a Japanese Select XV on Sunday 18 August. The following Sunday, the Men in Black take on national champions Suntory, famous for their victory over Wales last year. Both games are to be played at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, back in English rugby's national stadium, Twickenham, Saracens kick-off this year's Middlesex 7s tournament with a tricky tie against The Army. Sarries could well struggle against the team that bundled them out of last year's tournament at the semi-final stage and then went on to win the competition outright, due to the split in personnel brought about by the tour to the far east.

Don't forget that there is a season ticket holders' barbecue at Bramley Road on Sunday 4 August. The squad and staff will be there to introduce themselves to their adoring public.

The serious business of the Zurich Premiership starts away at Bristol Shoguns on Sunday 1 September and the first home game will be against Bath on Sunday 8 September.