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This year has not seen a huge number of players arriving at StoneX– a mere five reported so far compared to last year’s larger intake which included the likes of Phil Brantingham, Rhys Carre, Fergus Burke, Louie Johnd son, Sam Spink, Fraser Balmain augmented by a raft of promotions from the Academy notably including Toby Elliott and Charlie Bracken (both of whom are already on the England senior XV management’s radar!).  Much of last year’s intake included a needed boost to numbers and, some unkind souls might say, a reduction in the average age of the squad, following the departures of all three Vunipolas, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland, Alex Lewington et al.

One area that has been strengthened this year is the front row, with three sizeable units joining the ranks in Marcus Street, surprisingly still only 25, from Exeter Chiefs, the highly promising Fijian U20 international Vilikesa Nairau, a mere 22 years old and who arrives from Coventry, then last but by no means least, the formidable Samoan international Tietie Tuimaga, an experienced 31year old who comes in from Montauban having also played in Connacht and Wellington (New Zealand, that is). I’m sure all three will settle well at Sarries and provide good competition for our existing contingent of props.

Then we come to a rather useful couple of players who might just make a bit of a difference in the back three, midfield and even off the pitch.

Back in February, and in fact around the time of my birthday so it was a nice little present, Sarries fans everywhere were surprised and delighted to hear that Max Malins would once more be gracing the black and red from next season. Max (full name Maxim, I gather) started his professional career with Sarries and rose through the ranks – also making a big impact at Old Albanians - until establishing himself in the first XV set-up, showing great versatility with his ability at fly-half, full-back and on the wing and eventually forcing his way into the England senior set-up.

Like several other young players at Sarries, Max spent the 2020-21 season - while the club played out that eventful season in the Championship– on loan at Bristol Bears alongside Ben Earl; it seems that the Bears had wanted to keep them both but having signed contracts with Sarries before heading west they came home, all the better for the experience and both made huge contributions to  a successful 2021-22 campaign back in the Premiership where Sarries exceeded expectations in going all the way to the Premiership Final at Twickenham, losing only to a late drop-goals – and Max finished as the league’s highest try scorer (16).

The following season Sarries went  one better and took the title, although the final against Sale Sharks was tinged with sadness as it had been announced  that Max would be returning to Bristol on a permanent basis, by some accounts to play in his favoured full-back position.

Max’s second spell at Bristol hasn’t perhaps hit the heights he would have wanted, and much of this last season has seen him sidelined by injury, but at still only 28 he has some potentially great years ahead of him, and I’m delighted to see him back. I have a fancy that we’re likely to see Max most regularly in the no. 15 shirt.

The other arrival, and another very welcome returnee? Oh, it’s a northern lad whose dad also played for Sarries, and you may know his name.

I’m not planning to go right through Owen’s previous spell at Sarries in details – the small matters of six Premiership titles, three Champions Cups, one RFU Championship title (when even playing at tier lower than he was accustomed to betrayed no let-up in his standards), two European Player of the Year awards and three nominations for World Player of the Year are a matter of record, as are the achievements at international level and on Lions duty which have made us all so proud.

Nor am I going to recount the circumstances leading up to Owen’s departure to Paris and his perhaps surprising return after one season, although rumours had circulated for a while about a possible return to English rugby – there had even been stories of interest from Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons.

You all know both those stories.

All I will say is that in whatever capacity Owen is coming back in, be it player or player-coach, Sarries will only be enriched by his return – not only will he be a player with a point to prove next season but he’ll be the best mentor and tutor any club could have, and aside from the “homecoming hero” aspect we will over the coming years, as his playing career draws to a close and he starts to fulfil his undoubted potential as a coach, count ourselves very fortunate indeed to have him.

Welcome home, Owen