Venter is very happy with the start his side have made to the season

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter has praised his squad for stepping up to the mark when required this season.

He told BBC Three Counties Radio after Sunday's 22-6 win against Wasps: "Three of their players weren't playing and three of our main players weren't.

"Because we have a rotation system it doesn't matter so much to us.

"I could almost say it was our full-strength side out there. Every guy that comes in plays well."

Venter believes that the fans have been satisfied that the side is still largely based on British talent.

He said: "In the beginning they really thought it would be a South African takeover.

Our academy has been very healthy. Players like Jamie George, Owen Farrell, Jake Sharpe are going to come through and that is our future Brendan Venter

"Now they have seen that we have brought a couple of 'magic-makers' in but we are always going to be an English club and we really are promoting these young English guys.

"Our academy has been very healthy. Players like Jamie George, Owen Farrell, Jake Sharpe are going to come through and that is our future.

That is also backed up with the on-going negotiations to keep players at the club, as Venter explained.

He added: "[Chief executive] Edward [Griffiths] is at a very advanced stage in negotiating with Noah Cato, Andy Saul and Alex Goode which is very important to us. I know he has concluded with Adam Powell."

Saracens have made a perfect start to the season, winning all of their opening eight games in the Guinness Premiership and have opened up a six-point lead over second-placed London Irish.

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