Jones unveils coaching team

2:28pm Monday 19th May 2008

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Eddie Jones, Saracens' new director of rugby, has recruited former players Alex Sanderson, Paul Gustard and Cobus Visagie to his coaching team.

Former back row Sanderson, 28, becomes the new forwards coach following the departure of Adrian Kennedy to front Taranaki while Gustard takes on the role of skills coach following his surprise retirement from playing earlier this month.

Experienced prop Visagie will also coach the forwards while maintaining a part time role as a squad player.

Jones has also promoted Richard Graham from assistant coach to coaching coordinator and revealed their could yet be a position created for Richard Hill to coach the club's youngsters.

"Alex Sanderson was an international forward with England and while his playing career was cut short, he has developed into an excellent coach in the past two years with the support of Saracens and through his own hard work with Queensland and England U18s," said Jones.

"Paul Gustard has had a terrific career in rugby and has shown he has the temperament, knowledge and ability to develop into a good coach and his appointment along with that of Sanderson is not just exciting for Saracens, but also for the English game to have homegrown coaches coming through the system.

"Cobus Visagie has shown throughout his career that he is one of the best exponents of the scrum in the world game and that experience and technical knowledge will be invaluable to the club both on and off the pitch as he will continue to have a playing role.

"We are also in discussions with Richard Hill about him playing a role in the development of our young players. Talks are progressing well but nothing has been finalised."