Sydney - Australian international second-row Will Skelton has joined
Saracens on a short-term deal, the Premiership champions announced on Tuesday.
The Allianz Park side confirmed that the lock will join the club from Super Rugby side the Waratahs with immediate effect. His arrival will bolster Saracens' second-row options after the recent retirement of Alistair Hargreaves.
Skelton, who has been capped by Australia 18 times and
recently captained an Australian XV against the French Barbarians, will join
the reigning English and European champions after the club reached an agreement
with the ARU and the Waratahs regarding his availability.
"We’re delighted to be able to bring a player of Will's calibre into the group," said director of rugby Mark McCall.
"He is an immensely talented rugby player with vast
experience for a 24-year old tight-five forward. It's no secret that we have
been running low on a few bodies in the second-row department but we made it
very clear that we wouldn’t compromise on quality when looking to add to our
squad. In Will, we have a player who will certainly have an important role to
play in our group over the next few months."
Skelton will be available for Saracens' Premiership, Anglo-Welsh Cup and Champions Cup games during the duration of his short-term deal.