VICARAGE ROAD has a special place in the heart of Tom Ryder.

The Saracens second row, a revelation in the last four games, is an avid Watford fan and spent three years commuting from Nottingham with his father to see his beloved Hornets on a Saturday afternoon.

Ironically, Ryder's full debut as a rookie 18-year old for Leicester - his former club - was against Saracens at Vicarage Road and, following his move south last summer, he is yet be on the losing at a ground that has fond memories for him.

"Playing at Vicarage Road every week now is brilliant," said Ryder, who has represented England at every youth level.

"I sit in the changing rooms and think about Watford and there is always a programme left in the changing rooms from the game before so I always have a flick through that. It's nice to think I'm following in the footsteps of some Watford greats even though I'm not playing football.

"Me and my dad travelled down every weekend to watch Watford," he added. "We are both massive Watford fans - we had season tickets for three years. We used to travel down every week for the home game and tried to go to most of the away games as well. I used to watch Watford on Saturday and play rugby on a Sunday."

Strangely, Ryder has not seen as much of the Hornets as he would have liked since he swapped Leicester for Watford, but that is mainly because his rugby career has suddenly taken off.

Ryder spent three quarters of the season kicking his heels in the A team but he suddenly was given his chance, away at Sale of all places, for Eddie Jones' first game in charge.

Ryder has not looked back since, producing a series of commanding displays in the engine room of the pack alongside the muscular Simon Raiwalui and he has more than played his part in a sensational run of four straight wins that have transformed the Men in Black from relegation fodder to Heineken Cup candidates.

"The last four games have been brilliant," said Ryder.

"It's been a good end of the season for me. Players have been injured and I've been given my chance and I'd like to think I've taken that opportunity. Luckily the team have played well with me in it and we have won and you don't tend to change a winning team."

That winning run began at Sale and is widely considered as the game that turned around Saracens' mis-firing season.

The Men in Black were trailing 9-7 at half-time at Edgeley Park and looked to be staring down the barrel at a ninth straight defeat.

Then came a rousing half-time team talk. Not by former Australian head coach Eddie Jones, or Taine Randell, a former captain of the All Blacks, or even skipper Hugh Vyvyan.

The rallying of the troops was administered by Ryder, the youngster member of the squad.

"I normally say a few things in the changing rooms anyway," recalled Ryder.

"We knew what an important game it was to kickstart the season and we had a good first half. I can't remember what I said but it was something along the lines of getting every one up for the second half and trying to convince people we could win this games."

Sarries did win the game, 15-9, and you could tell how pumped up for the match Ryder was - and what the result meant - by the way he leapt on an exhausted Raiwalui at the final whistle.

Ryder kept his place in the side for the next three games and is relishing playing his rugby at the top level.

"When you join a club you want to be starting in the first team - you don't want to be playing second fiddle to anyone really," he admitted.

"I'm enjoying it massively now. The team environment is a lot nicer and a lot more relaxed.

"Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves on and off the pitch. The whole place is a lot happier and I think that is reflected in the results."

It was a series of wretched results that led to the downfall of Steve Diamond, the man who brought Ryder to the club.

"I had a lot of respect for Steve and was sorry to see him go," said the second row.

"I thought he did a good job for Saracens but maybe the results speak for themselves. I don't think the improvement was just down to him leaving it was a combination of things."

Most of the credit for the turnaround has been lavished on Jones, the caretaker director of rugby.

"He's been brilliant," said Ryder.

"I've got massive respect for him and so have the rest of the players. He's coached at the top level and you can really see that in his sessions. He's made a lasting impression on most of the players."

Sarries have won all four games since Jones took charge and Ryder, in particular, is hoping they can make it five when Leicester visit Vicarage Road a week today (Friday).

"I can't wait for it," he said.

"The team hasn't been selected yet but I'm hoping to play. I think we go into the game as favourites and I believe we can beat Leicester. It's always nice to put one over on your old club and it would be nice to put one over them at Vicarage Road.

"I still in keep in touch with the lot of lads. I've got some good friends up there still and there has been a bit of banter flying around. We've been talking about this game for the last month or so."

Ryder has made regular trips back to Leicester to check on the welfare of his close friend Matt Hampson, the Leicester prop who suffered a serious neck injury while training with England Under-21's in March.

Ryder was part of the scrum that collapsed on Hampson, leaving the 21-year old requiring spinal surgery and weeks of intensive care at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

"It was just one of those freak accidents," he recalled.

"It was no different to any other scrummage it just happened. It just made me appreciate what I've got and that life is there to be enjoyed. I still keep in touch with him and go and see him every couple of weeks. He's not bitter about it, he seems happy and he's moved on from it.

"When something like that happens it makes you think about your life and that rugby is not the most important thing."