By Jason Harris
August 1 2002

Saracens have confirmed the release of three of their younger players and the moves of two older heads as the squad takes shape before the new season kicks off. It was no great secret that South African outside half Luke Smith would be leaving the club. Brought in on a month-by-month contract to fill in for the injured Jannie DeBeer, Smith scored plenty of points with the boot, but many supoorters thought his skills with ball in hand and his defence were both suspect. After it was apparent that DeBeer was not going to return quickly, the club gave Smith a contract for the remainder of the season.The 31 year old will ply his trade in the First Division next season with Birmingham Solihull.

Back row forward Ben Cole has also moved on. The man from the West country returns to home territory with Exeter Chiefs. The 27 year old no8 has had many injury problems in the last couple of years and with the arrival of new talent like Ben Russell and Ben Skirving, his chances of regaining his place in the starting back row were increasingly limited.

Meanwhile, Ireland under 21 prop Sean Phillips, England under 21 half back Ben Hampson and front row forward Adam Halsey have all been released by the club. Their futures remain uncertain at the moment.

This latest announcement by the club means that there has so far been a turnover of no fewer than 17 players - 11 out and 6 in - during a very busy off-season and this is likely to increase if reports of the sighting of Fijian outside half Nicky Little at Bramley Road are confirmed. Also, there are still rumours of Pierre Durant going to London Irish and Morgan Williams' arrival from Stade Francais, but this move has been kept under wraps while the Canadian scrum half prepares for his country's attempt to win the Commonwealth Games 7s in Manchester.

Here is a list of ins and outs at the club so far:

IN:

Craig Quinnell (Cardiff)
Christian Califano (Auckland Blues)
Andy Goode (Leicester Tigers)
Joe Ross (Worcester)
Johnny Marsters (Swansea)
Craig Yandell (La Rochelle)

OUT:

Scott Murray (Edinburgh Gunners)
Luke Smith (Birmingham Solihull)
Ben Cole (Exeter Chiefs)
Steve Cheesebrough (Pau)
Nick Walshe (Sale Sharks)
Khalid Benazzi (Blagnac)
Jannie De Beer (retired)
Romain Magellan (retired)
Ben Hampson (released)
Sean Phillips (realesed)
Adam Halsey (released)


Sarries begin their pre-season activities with a visit to Coventry on Tuesday 6 August, kick-off 7.30pm.