SARACENS' massive rebuilding plans continued this week when Nick Lloyd, the Rotherham loose-head prop, became the seventh summer signing after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Men in Black.

Head coach Rod Kafer, who has moved with real alacrity in the transfer market, pipped London Wasps, Bath and Gloucester in the race to sign the highly-sought after 27-year-old, who fits perfectly in the club's new recruitment policy.

Despite being part of a relegated Rotherham side that have failed to win a match this season, Lloyd was named in the Zurich Premiership dream XV by International Rugby Magazine and has carried the ball more metres and made more tackles than any other prop in the Premiership this season.

"We're very pleased that Nick will be joining us," said Kafer. "I think he's going to be a really good player. He's been an excellent performer in a struggling side this season. He's very keen to push for higher honours while with us and is still young enough to achieve that target. He is also very highly thought of within the England set up and we're looking forward to having him on board next season."

Lloyd will form part of a pack that already has a formidable look to it and Kafer is expecting the prop to flourish in the front row alongside the likes of Rapheal Ibanez and Cobus Visagie.

"He's a guy who has toiled and toiled at Rotherham and he'll come into a pack next year which I feel will be one of the dominant packs in the competition. I think he'll really benefit from being in a good side.

"He's coming here to be first-choice," added Kafer. "He told me 'I'm not coming here to be a back-up player, I'm here to be first choice' which is great. I'm really impressed with him."

For the full story, plus an update on Sarries' hunt for a goal-kicker, don't miss this week's edition of The Watford Observer