Christian Califano joins Saracens

By Jason Harris
April 26 2002

French interantional prop forward Christian Califano is to join Saracens next season from New Zealand Super 12s outfit Auckland Blues.

Despite protestations from Califano's previous club Stade Toulousain who believed that the 66 capped 29-year-old was to return there after his stint down under, Sarries have achieved a major coup in capturing his signing.

Sarries CEO Peter Deakin said

"Califano is a big name in French and world rugby, and we at Saracens can’t wait to see him in our shirt, he will add some tremendous beef and experience to our pack. There’s no doubt that he will be a real cornerstone for us and an excellent tutor for our up and coming forwards."

Sarries have had their problems in the front row since the departures of Julian White and Paul Wallace at the end of last season. Romain Magellan was brought in as a first-choice replacement, but the unlucky recruit from Grenoble spent just 60 minutes on the field in his Sarries career. A career that was ended premarturely and permantnely when the back injury he sustained in his first competitive game finally made him give up playing rugby.

Califano is pleased to be in good company at Saraces:

"They are not all strangers to me with guys like Abdel Benazzi, Thomas Castaignede and Kyran Bracken there. Playing in the Zurich Premiership is also something I’m excited about doing."

Sarries will have to make do with the current crop of youngsters and veteran South African Pierre Durant as their front row cover for the remainder of this season, beginning with the tricky visit to Northampton Saints this weekend.