Rugby: Saracens have received a boost ahead of the start of their Premiership title defence with the news that their entire coaching staff have committed themselves to the club until 2014. Sarries secured their maiden Premiership title in May under the guidance of director of rugby Mark McCall.

And the former Ulster boss has been rewarded with a new three-year deal, with his backroom staff of Andy Farrell (head coach), Brendan Venter (technical director), Paul Gustard (defence and forward coach), Alex Sanderson (forwards coach) and Dan Vickers (kicking coach) all agreeing the same length of deal.

McCall was promoted from his previous position of head coach in January after Venter elected to take up a role that would allow him to spend more time with his family. The South African had guided the club to the 2010 Premiership final at the end of his first campaign in charge, but they lost out to Leicester in a thrilling encounter.

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray said: “Not only do we have a talented group of coaches... they are also an exceptional group of people and that is just as important. We have stability within our coaching and playing staff, and they work fantastically hard for each other, which makes me so excited about the future.”