Brown eager for quick return of sky-scraper Skelton
KELLY Brown is urging giant lock Will Skelton to return to Saracens after the Wallaby forward made a massive impact on his short term contract with the champions.
Skelton’s stay ended in spectacular style with the 6ft 8ins and 22st forward making a try-saving tackle to ensure Sarries won their home pool clash with Toulon 10-3.
Skelton arrived early in December to cover injuries to Maro Itoje and George Kruis and headed back to Australia for the build-up to the Super Rugby season after that win over Toulon on January 21.
Former Scotland captain Brown, below, who also helps coach the club’s Academy players, was impressed with the way Skelton quickly fitted into the club’s ethos and said: “Will was great and bought into the culture and vibe of the squad. He really was fantastic and it would be great to have him back with us at some point. He is a big old boy and has been changing in my area and he is a monster of a man – the biggest guy I have ever played with.
“Besides his size, Will is also a very talented rugby player and it made him such a good addition. The squad here at Sarries has faced some challenges this season, but we like those kind of hurdles.
“Will came in and helped us out and he finished with an unbelievable tackle. I still don’t know how he pulled the Toulon player down inches short of the line.”
Brown, who will be coaching the Royal Navy team again for their interservices matches, was delighted to see Sarries drawn at home to his former club Glasgow Warriors in the European Cup quarter finals as he has been waiting seven seasons to come up against his old team mates.
Brown added: “I knew at some point I would end up facing Glasgow but I didn’t think I would have to wait seven seasons!
“Glasgow are playing some very good stuff and the win over Leicester was very impressive. We are under no illusion about the size of the task facing us. I am really looking forward to coaching the Royal Navy again. The RAF game is first followed by the Army at the end of April at Twickenham.”
