Quins' Strettle hopes to improve at Sarries (From Surrey Comet)

Quins' Strettle hopes to improve at Sarries

9:00am Thursday 15th April 2010 in Sport By Stuart Amos

Harlequins winger David Strettle reckons Saracens could see his best years and he is hoping to give his new employers a taste of what to expect during this weekend’s trip down Wembley Way.

The 26-year-old, who scored in Saturday’s 46-11 win over Leeds Carnegie, is expected to be fit to face Sarries with Quins looking to boost their Heineken Cup qualification hopes after back-to-back wins.

A win for Brendan Venter’s men will guarantee them top level European action at Vicarage Road next season and further strengthen their grip on a Guinness Premiership play-off spot.

But the England international insists there will be no split loyalties when it comes to taking to the turf at the home of English football on Saturday.

“You want to get better as a player every year and I think I’ve managed to do that at Quins,” he said.

“As a player you want to continue to do that and hopefully the environment and Saracens will help me develop my game further.

“Every game you go into you try your hardest and if I end up impressing my new employers then so be it, but that is as far as it goes for me.

“There is no question of mixed loyalties and I will be doing my best to help Quins finish the season well.”

Strettle switch the Stoop from Rotherham Titans when former director of rugby Dean Richards plucked him from National One to star in the club’s first season back in the English top flight.

In a four years spell in west London he scored a try on his full international debut against Ireland at Croke Park and helped his club to a Heineken Cup quarter-final appearance.

And the Warrington-born star goes with nothing but good memories.

“My first season here was probably the highlight. Quins gave me my chance and I got an England call-up, so it was a bit of rollercoaster really,” he added.

“Injuries at the wrong time have affected my international chances since then, but I’m over them and a full-season this year has done me the world of good.

“Every player is desperate to pull on an England shirt, but until there is a reason for someone to be left out then I have just to make sure I’m in the best position to take my chance when it comes.”