Wikus van Heerden

A World Cup winner with South Africa in 2007, Wikus van Heerden is a new addition to the Saracens squad for the 2008/09 season from Super 14 outfit the Blue Bulls.

He is a tireless loose forward who is a master at pilfering ball, and does the hard work that seldom receives any plaudits.

Having been out of favour with Jake White early on his tenure, the former Lions skipper fought his way into contention, and did not disappoint when given the chance to shine at the World Cup.

Noah Cato

Blessed with pace and a natural try scoring ability, Cato scored a try on his full Guinness Premiership debut for Saracens last season against Leeds and he enjoyed a fine season in the A-League, first team and on the international stage with England U20s.

Cato comes from a sporting background with his grandfather Glen Wilson considered a legend among Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club supporters and although still only 20, he is considered as one of the brightest prospects in the English game.

He scored six tries in five matches as England U20s won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008 and he has also been part of the England 7s circuit in the past 12 months.

Andy Saull

The promising openside flanker made his full debut for Saracens last season against Bristol in the EDF Energy Cup just months after finishing his A-Level studies.

Also a regular in the Guinness A-League side, he was part of the England U20s squad which won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008 although he missed much of the previous season with a broken leg.

Saull started his rugby career at Woodford RFC in Essex and is currently studying part time for a degree in Financial Economics at Birkbeck College in London.

Andy Farrell

A runner-up with England at the 2007 World Cup, Farrell returned from France with a series of impressive performances at inside centre for the North London club, seeing Saracens to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time in their history.

However, he had a frustrating end to the 2007/08 campaign as a shoulder injury picked up in the Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over the Ospreys ended his season.

He missed his first season with Saracens through injury but he finally made his debut in October 2006 and it didn't take long for his leadership and all round rugby skills to show through.

The fact he missed his first 12 months was even harder to take for the player who was an ever-present in the GB Rugby League side since 1993 and remains one of the sport's most decorated players. Aged 21, he became the youngest ever player to captain the national side and he won five Challenge Cup and a Super League title with his club side Wigan where he played his entire career in the 13-man game.