Saracens have secured the future of one of their promising young stars with the news that Don Barrell has signed a new three-year deal with the North London club.

A product of the Academy system, the 22-year-old Watford-born back row forward Barrell first pulled on the Saracens colours aged 13 and his new deal will take his involvement with the club to more than 10 years.

Barrell first made his Saracens debut aged 18 when he had to interrupt his A-levels at Watford Grammar School to feature in a first team game at Northampton Saints. And this season his performances have caught the eye of the coaches after benefiting from a loan spell with National League One side Esher.

Off the field, Barrell has been just as busy after completing a degree course in Anthropology at University College London. And while it may not be one of the most obvious skills needed to be a professional rugby player, he's more than likely to come across a few human cultural test cases on his travels in the Guinness Premiership!

"I'm a one-club man and I'm very committed to Saracens so I'm delighted to have signed a new deal," he explained. "I've been at Saracens since I was 13 and now my future is secured, I can really concentrate on getting more first team action. I've played a few games this season and feel I have contributed to the side. Now I have to make sure I get the most out of the opportunities I'm given and become a regular in the first team squad."

When not involved in the matchday squad this season, Barrell has spent his time on loan at National League One outfit Esher. In fact, the back row is traveling down to Cornwall this weekend to face the Pirates.

"It's gone really well for me at Esher because it's given me the chance to play rugby week in, week out at a high level," he added. "I've also made sure I gave the coaches at Saracens DVDs of the game, just to show them how I was playing!

"It's been a tough few years for me and I've not played as much rugby as I would have liked. I've had a few injuries and I've also juggled my rugby with a full time degree - that hasn't been easy. But now I've completed the degree, I can really concentrate on my rugby."

A degree in anthropology is not something you come across every day on the rugby pitch, but the quick and powerful back rower, who has represented England on the 7s and U18s stage, enjoyed every minute of it.

"I wanted to do something that was a little bit different," he explained. "It's a mixture of history and science and they are subjects I enjoy. I thought about doing a sports science degree, but to me that is a bit too similar to what you do every day in training. I wanted something that was a complete change so I always felt fresh when going into lectures or running out on the training pitch."

"Don has worked very hard this season and his performances in training and with Esher means he has deserved the opportunities he's been given," explained Saracens Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney. "He has benefited a great deal from his time on loan and that is reflected in his performances for Saracens. He's one of a number of talented youngsters at the club who have a huge role to play in the future and we're delighted that he will be with us for a further three seasons."

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