Saracens' 23-year-old hooker George Chuter has announced that he is leaving the club after four years and is jetting off for the sunnier climes of Australia.

Chuter has been deliberating about his future during the last few months as he felt that he was losing focus and wanted to take a break from the life of a professional rugby player.

He has been Saracens' first choice hooker for the last three seasons after he rose to prominence in the 1997/98 season when he made his debut against Bath in the record breaking 50-point victory over the West Country giants. He capped a brilliant season by gaining selection for the England tour to Australia in the summer.

He quickly became a firm favourite with the crowd and his departure is a big loss for the club - his spirit both on and off the field will be sorely missed.

'Towards the end of the season I discovered that I was just not enjoying the game as much as I had been,' said Chuter.

'I had to do some serious soul searching. My contract was up for renewal and the easy thing would have been to just sign it and carry on but I didn't want to let myself, the team or the supporters down by playing next season when my heart wasn't in it.

'I talked through my options with my friends and family and decided that a change was what was needed. Then I sat down with Francois (Pienaar) to let him know. He's been trying to change my mind for the last few months but it's made up.

'I'm heading off to Sydney at the end of the summer where I plan to live and work for a while. I'm still going to play rugby but on a part-time basis.

'It wasn't an easy decision to make because I love the club and have a lot of friends here who I will be sad to leave, but the time is right for me to step out for a while and see what happens.

'I'll be taking a lot of fond memories with me - some I can tell you, some I can't.

'The two that stick in my mind are my Premiership debut in 1997 against Bath where I took part in the victory that saw us as the first team ever to score 50 points against them.

'The second was in the same year and, although the Tetley's Bitter Cup Final was one of the best moments in my life, the semi final against Northampton is the one that sticks in my mind.

'I'd like to thank everybody at the club - players, management, office staff and supporters - for all their support over the last four very enjoyable years.

'I will always be a Saracen at heart and will be checking out the website when I'm in Oz to see how the boys are getting on.'

With Chuter gone, Saracens will be relying on the impressive England Under-21 hooker Matt Cairns, who made his debut start against Northampton at the end of last season, and Scottish international hooker Robbie Russell.

'I was very sad when George told me of his intention to leave us,' said Francois Pienaar, 'and I have tried in vain since then to change his mind.

'George has been a real Saracen over the last few seasons and he has performed superbly both in the set piece and in the loose.

'He is still very young at 23 and will be welcome back at the club if he decides to resurrect his career at a later date.

'While I don't want to lose him, I respect his reasons for going.

'I would like to wish George all the best in his travels and hope that he finds what he is looking for.'

Johnston signs contract for

two more years at Sarries

CENTRE Ben Johnston has signed a new two-year deal with Saracens.

Johnston was rewarded for a strong season with selection for the England tour to South Africa this summer where he played in two of the Provincial games, scoring two trademark tries.

The 21 year old impressed towards the end of the season as he partnered Kevin Sorrell when injury forced Jeremy Thomson out of the side. His powerful running and solid defence are part of his game that makes him another star of the future.

'It was great to push into the starting line up and the chance to tour for England was the icing on the cake,' said Johnston.

'I can't wait for next season, to play and train alongside Tim Horan and Thomas Castaignede is going to be the chance of a lifetime.'

Johnston joined Saracens two years ago as an associate professional and rose quickly through the ranks, making his debut against Swansea in 1999.

'Ben has really come to prominence in the last six months,' commented Pienaar.

'He has a real hunger for the game and, with Tim Horan and Kevin Sorrell, he poses a selection headache that I am looking forward to.'

Saracens' young prop sensation David Flatman has signed a new contract with the club that will see him playing at Vicarage Road until at least 2003.

The young Englishman, who broke into the test squad and made an appearance in both tests from the bench this summer in South Africa, had an outstanding season for the club in 2000.

Having made his Premiership debut the previous season against London Irish, 21-year-old Flatman has come on leaps and bounds and is now considered to be the natural successor to Jason Leonard in the England front row.

'Hopefully, this won't be the last time I sign a new contract for the club as I want to stay at Saracens for the rest of my career,' said Flatman.

'I just can't wait for the season to start.'

Flatman's rise in stature is no fluke as the club have proved that they are quite prepared to field young players in the first team on form basis.

'David is a fantastic player with a very bright future and I'm glad he wants it to be with Saracens,' said Pienaar.

'His appetite for the game since his return is even stronger than before.'