DAVID SEYMOUR has hinted that he may have to leave Saracens to satisfy his burning ambitions.

The popular flanker is highly rated by director of rugby Alan Gaffney, who sees him as the rightful heir to Richard Hill's throne. However, with his contract up at the end of the season and Hill yet to confirm if he will continue playing beyond the current campaign, the 22-year-old is understandably keeping his options open.

Now in his fourth season with the Men in Black, Seymour can count himself blessed and unfortunate in equal measure. He could not have asked for a better tutor in World Cup winner Hill, but ever since the 34-year-old returned to full fitness last Christmas from a career-threatening knee injury the understudy has become the supporting cast. Not that Seymour is moaning about it, far from it.

"I was fortunate to get 17 starts last season and in the two seasons I've been here I've been lucky enough to get a lot of game time," he said. "So, whenever that time comes I'm ready and waiting.

"I think I started the first 13 games and then Hilly come back around Christmas time and we ended up sharing the shirt, more or less. I was on the bench quite a few times too.

"The amount of game time I got last year compared to the year before, even though I started less games last season, the amount of minutes I played was an awful lot more (354 mins). I was lucky to be given a few chances last year and hopefully I'll get the chance again this season."

Seymour has started this season in the same way he finished the last, coming on as a second half replacement for Hill in what has become a common practice to get the best from the veteran before fatigue creeps in.

And while Seymour admits he is frustrated at the lack of regular starts, he is relishing the challenge of reclaiming the number seven shirt and making it his own.

"Hilly has come back fit and anyone with his experience and ability is a great asset to the team and I'm extremely lucky that he is here for me to learn from," said the former Chinnor player. "The number one thing is that the team do well and whoever plays the best gets the shirt. It's a good rivalry but at the same time it's great to have someone like him here with his experience.

"My job is to play rugby and that's all I want to do. It's what I love doing and it's what I'm here to do. At times it is frustrating for me but,.in the job we're in, your time comes around and you have got to take it and keep hold of it for as long as possible.

"It is a kick up the behind (not starting) but you have got to work as hard as you can week in week out."

Seymour's Sarries contract expires next year and feels that unless he is guaranteed more starts he could be forced to seek pastures new. His stalling international career has not helped his state of mind either.

Having impressed with the England Sevens, the pony-tailed talent was called up to the England Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup in Canada last year. He started all three games and was man of the match in one. However, he was not selected for the autumn fixtures but was boosted when Jim Mallinder included him in this year's squad for the competition. The Saxons went on to reclaim the Cup but Seymour played no part.

"The call up came as a shock," he admitted. "I didn't play the first game and after that some more players came in from other clubs for the finals and I ended up not taking part after that. It was gutting for me as I wanted to play.

"I was hoping to take that step up but so far things haven't gone the right way I wanted them to go.

"The good thing with rugby is if you get a few games things can turn around pretty quickly, so you just got to be there waiting on the edge for your chance to come."

Seymour says he is not thinking beyond this season and admits any contract extension offered would be met with careful consideration.

"I've not thought anything about it really," he added. "I've got to see how I feel and consider what is best for me when that time comes around. The number one thing on my mind at present is to be playing well and hope the team is playing well.

"At the end of the day, any rugby player will tell you that you are not in this for that long. But, first things first, training hard and getting some game time are the only things I'm worrying about at the moment.

"I want to play at the highest level you can and you need to be playing at your club to do so. I'm here to the end of the season, I'm happy and I can't wait to get my chance."

Meanwhile, Seymour is confident another good Premiership season is in the offing for the Men in Black and says getting out of the Heineken Cup pool stages would be an added bonus.

"If we can keep everyone fit we'll do well," he commented. "When you take your chance you have to grab it and that is why last season we played so well for long periods of time. Whoever came in wanted to do the shirt and themselves proud.

"Last time we were in the Heineken Cup we didn't get out of the pool stages and I think it would be a big thing for the club and the supporters if we could get beyond that this time."