SARACENS, attempting to create an English-based culture at Vicarage Road next season, have secured the services of four of the countrys brightest young talents.

Aston Croall, the loose-head prop, and back-row starlet Ben Russell have both penned new one-year and two-year deals respectively with the club, while hooker Andy Kyriacou and scrum-half Joe Bedford become the fifth and sixth players respectively to swap Sale for Saracens after signing two-year contracts.

In fact the mass exodus from Sale could continue with two more players understood to be on Rod Kafer's extensive shopping list.

"These are four very talented players and they represent the future for the club," said head coach Rod Kafer. "As we move forward, it's important that we get the balance right in terms of having a good mixture of young and experienced players in our squad and we're pleased that these youngsters want to be a part of that."

Russell, the England Under-21 back-rower, has already established himself in the first team squad and has made 41 appearances since making his debut against Lawrence Dallaglio in 2002.

"Ben has been made a big improvement after we asked to make a positional switch to open side and I think he's responded very well," added Kafer.

"Going forward he has a massive opportunity to push the senior guys in the back row for next season. If he can push one of them out of spot then we have got a really strong back row."

Another player Kafer is looking to push for a starting berth next season is Croall who, despite seeing his season disrupted by a broken leg, has shown glimpses of his burgeoning talent in the last two matches.

"We are delighted Aston has signed," said the head coach. "Over the last few weeks he has had a bit of game time and shown what he is capable of. He's got a lot of hard work to do but I'm sure if he does that he can be up there pushing for a regular starting spot."

In comparison, the involvement of Kyriacou and Bedford is likely to be limited next season, but the arrival of the England Under-21 duo provide Kafer with some much-needed depth in two key areas.

"In two positions where we do we have elder statesmen in Raphael Ibanez and Kyran Bracken we are really conscious about developing the next batch and Andy and Joe give us that," said Kafer.

"Andy is a very good line-out thrower and, although he's not the biggest of hookers, is also quite a mobile player around the field.

"Joe is a good young scrum-half with very good running skills and, with a very good skill base and very good fitness levels, I think he'll feature as one of our Sevens players."