Club profile: Saracens

French hero Abdel Benazzi (l) adds depth to the squad

Saracens boss Francois Pienaar has a huge job on his hands, given the serious injuries to Tim Horan and Thomas Castagneide and the mass end of season exodus.

Dan Luger, Danny Grewcock, Julian White, Tony Diprose and Paul Wallace all left the club last term.

But after regrouping over the close season with some judicious signings, the outlook is a little brighter for Saracens, particularly since the arrival of veteran French lock Abdel Benazzi.

The new club captain will certainly add steel to the pack and provide the forward momentum to give his backline more room.

Nevertheless, a top six finish would be no mean achievement.

Facts and figures:

Ground: Vicarage Road
Coach/chief executive: Francois Pienaar
Captain: AbdelBenazzi
Last season: 5th

Players in: Abdel Benazzi (Agen), Khalid Benazzi (Perigueux), Romain Magellan (Bourgoin).

Players out: Danny Grewcock (Bath), Dan Luger (Harlequins), Tony Diprose (Harlequins), Bill Davison (Harlequins), Paul Wallace (Leinster), Julian White (Bristol), Duncan McRae (New South Wales).