Four players to make step up to Senior Academy

Saracens is excited to announce that four players will make the transition in to the Senior Academy for the 2023/24 season.

Olamide Sodeke, Barnaby Merrett, Alex O’Driscoll and Oscar Wilson, who have all played for the Under 18s will make the step up once they return to pre-season training.

Sodeke, who is an athletic second row went to South Africa with England U18s last August and has been selected to go again this year.

He had a frustrating season after sustaining an injury in October that meant he missed most of the U18 academy campaign, but he will be looking to put that behind him in the Academy.

Merrett, from Sutton Valence School is another back-rower who is aiming to make the transition in to the team at StoneX Stadium. He brings a high work rate and his ball-carrying and rugby brain will hold him in good stead.

O’Driscoll originally joined the Under 18’s programme from Wasps, and has transitioned in to a prop after starting as a back-rower. He will train with the Academy whilst getting game time at Loughborough University over the next two years to get some vital match experience.

Wilson, who played for Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup last season came through the ACE Partner Programme at Oaklands College. He is a physical centre who can add plenty to the midfield in the years to come.

Mike Hynard, Academy Manager at Saracens is delighted to see these four players stepping up.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing this new group of senior academy players develop over the next few years. They have all the characteristics to do very well in the Saracens environment. The transition from U18s into the senior academy is often difficult, but I know these boys will work hard and compete with their peers to make the most of this opportunity.”