BEN SKIRVING says he is determined to hang on to the number eight shirt at Saracens despite the club's capture of South African Guthrie Hall.

The 22-year-old becomes director of rugby Alan Gaffney's fifth new signing ahead of the new season and plugs the gap left behind by versatile back rower Ben Russell.

Hall was a regular in Vodacom Cup side Natal Wildebeest and a member of the Sharks squad in the Super 14 and Currie Cup.

Gaffney has told Hall he wants to see him challenge Skirving for eighthman, something which the recently capped England man welcomes.

"We need depth in the squad and it will be good for me to have a bit of competition," said Skirving, 23. "It's put more pressure on me to perform. I played around 30 games last season and would like to think I am first choice.

"I've got to push myself forward and prove to Alan I've got what it takes to be the first choice number eight."

And Skirving will need to be playing regularly if he is to force his way back into the thoughts of England head coach Brian Ashton. He was called up from the Saxons squad and thrown into the starting line-up for England's second tour test against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld at the start of last month.

His aggressive approach upset a few of the Springboks but, like Dan Scarbrough, Skirving was a surprise omission from Ashton's training squad ahead of this year's World Cup.

"It was a very good experience for me although the results did not go the way we would have wanted," said Skirving, reflecting on the two hefty defeats. "It was a really worthwhile trip and I was delighted to win my first cap for my country.

"To go out there and get my first cap, I would have been very pleased to make the World Cup training squad but it wasn't to be. I've now got to get my head down and have a good season at Saracens and hopefully get in a position to get another cap."

Despite his own disappointment, he was delighted that teammates Andy Farrell and Kevin Yates made the squad.

"I'm very pleased for both of them," he said. "They've worked very hard this season and deserve the chance."

Recent newspaper reports suggest Sarries centre Farrell will be the latest big name casualty to be axed in Ashton's next cull as he moves closer to finalising his World Cup defending squad, but this does not wash with Skirving.

"I think they will both make it as they are very good players who are valued by the England set up."