SARACENS, who are set to announce the list of summer departures this week, will open talks with Ben Skirving about the possibility of extending the highly-rated number eight's contract at Vicarage Road.

The Bishop's Stortford back-rower, who has graduated through the club's Academy system, has one year left on his current contract, but the Men in Black, desperate to establish some continuity, are keen to tie him down to a longer deal.

"We hope to review Ben's contract," confirmed head coach Rod Kafer. "He has a review clause in his contract and he is keen to stay and we are keen to keep him."

Skirving, 19, has made great strides this season, making eight starts for the Men in Black as well as scoring five tries in England Under-21s Grand Slam success.

"I think he's really come on, he's a good player with a fair bit of potential," added Kafer. "He's probably one of the guys who has improved most from a physical point of view this year."

Skirving's England Under-21 team-mates, Ben Russell and Aston Croall, are also close to agreeing new deals to keep them at Vicarage Road, while the club are poised to announce three new additions to the front row in the coming weeks.

The back line is also set to be strengthened by four new additions, one of which will almost certainly be a goal-kicker.