Mark McCall is the new first team coach at Saracens

Former Ulster director of rugby Mark McCall has been appointed first team coach at Premiership side Saracens.

McCall will join the London club at the start of next season under the wing of new director of rugby Brendan Venter.

"I'm really excited about joining a club like Saracens and I can't wait to start work," said McCall who was with Castres for the past two seasons.

"Brendan is a strong character who knows exactly what he wants, and that is to be challenging for the title."

The 41-year-old former Ireland international stepped down from Ulster job in November 2007 before joining his former team-mate Jeremy Davidson at the French Top 14 side.

McCall said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

"It has been interesting to work in the Magners League, the European Cup and the French Top 14, and now I'm really looking forward to the challenge of working in England."

Capped 13 times by Ireland, the former inside centre coached Ireland U21s and Ireland A and was assistant coach at Ulster for two years under Alan Solomons before being given the head coaching role in 2004.

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