SARACENS quartet Shane Byrne, Ben Russell, Tomas de Vedia and Tevita Vaikona will leave the club at the end of the season.

Hooker Byrne, 35, will return to his native Ireland to concentrate on his burgeoning construction business. The other three have decided to quit the Men in Black after seeing their first team opportunities dwindle this year, such has been the consistent form of others in their positions.

However, in some encouraging news for Sarries, in-form wing Kameli Ratuvou is the latest player to extend his contract to 2010.

Russell, 24, who can play as flanker or at eight, has been at Sarries since he was 14 and admitted it was a very tough' decision to make.

Argentine wing de Vedia has impressed in the European Challenge Cup this season but the form of Dan Scarbrough and Rodd Penney has kept him out of the league picture. Fellow wing Vaikona has been out of favour of late and, like the rest of his outgoing teammates, should easily find a new club during the summer.

Sarries boss Alan Gaffney praised the contributions of all four players and admitted he wanted to keep de Vedia and Russell. "Shane, Ben, Tomas and Tevita have all contributed a great deal to the club and we wish them every success," said the Aussie. "It's always a difficult time of the year as players move on the pastures new, but things do move on. We are always looking to improve the strength of the squad and we hope to be in a position to announce some new signings within the next few weeks."

While sad to see those leaving Gaffney is delighted that Fijian flyer Ratuvou has inked a new deal. "Kameli has enjoyed a terrific season so far and we're thrilled he has agreed to commit his future to the club," he said. "He is an exceptional talent, something he has not only proved in the Guinness Premiership this season but also on the world stage with Fiji and the Pacific Islands.

"In many ways, our decision to bring him to the club could have been seen as a bit of gamble, but he was highly recommended by both Simon Raiwalui and Moses Rauluni who had played with him for Fiji and they were correct in their judgment. When he joined us, in his first training session, it only took him about 30 seconds to do something special and he hasn't looked back since. He's an exciting player and I believe he will get even better."

Ratuvou, 23, is the club's leading scorer this season with 11 tries in 22 apperances. "I'm very happy here and feel very settled and am really looking forward to the rest of this season," he said. I feel I have improved a great deal as a player and was happy to extend my deal."