Saracens have solved their problematic outside centre position with the capture of Waratahs star Ben Jacobs.

The 26-year-old, who has been capped at A level by Australia, has signed a three year deal with the Men in Black and will provide much needed competition for regular 13 Kevin Sorrell.

The club veteran is tough to replace when injured or rested and Sarries had only versatile wing Rodd Penney and scoring sensation Francisco Leonelli able to fill the void last season. However, all that is set to change now Jacobs has agreed to move from the Super 14 finalists.

Jacobs has had no problems gaining a visa to play in the Guinness Premiership due to his English wife and arrives at Vicarage Road having been named the Waratahs best back of 2007.

"Ben is a good solid rugby player and is a real team man," said Sarries boss Eddie Jones, who scouted Jacobs earlier this year. "He's a strong runner, very good defensively and works very hard at his game - he's very much in the Kevin Sorrell mode.

"Historically, outside centre has been a difficult position to fill when Sorrell has been out injured for any length of time so it was important that we added to the competition in that area.

"Ben is still only 26 so he has a lot of rugby left in front of him and his performances for the Waratahs over the past few seasons have proved he can perform at the highest level."