TROY COKER dramatically slated English club rugby this week -- just a fortnight after having his contract ended by Saracens.

Coker has quit rugby altogether, disillusioned with the English game and with his contract ending ten weeks short of its 12 months.

This week he told the Daily Mail: "I can't wait to get home. I haven't learned anything rugby-wise with the English game.

"The state of the game over here is in absolute turmoil. The rugby is rubbish and yet I have seen dodgy players getting paid enormous amounts of money for reasons I just cannot explain.

"Even a lot of the good players around are disillusioned. It's been a pretty bad experience for me."

The Australian utility forward, on a £100,000 contract, has returned to Queensland after reaching an amicable agreement with the club.

Capped 27 times for his country, Coker was a former Super 12 star with ACT Brombies and played for Harlequins from 1988 to 1991. His contract had originally included the possibility of being extended.

He added: "I plan to build a house on the beach and forget about rugby. The way I feel I won't even be back for the World Cup this year."

The club confirmed that Coker had been released, but would not comment on the former Australian international's onslaught on the English domestic game.

But Coker added: "I don't hold much hope for the future of British rugby the way things are structured at the moment.

"I don't know where the game goes from here in the northern hemisphere, it's in such poor shape. It is no fun to play -- it's grinding stuff.

"Illegal killing of the ball is the biggest problem facing rugby over here, yet rucking people out of the way isn't allowed. A rucking game is badly needed to stop these people ruining the game by their illegal tactics."

Coker's last appearance for Sarries came in the 76-8 crushing of Morley where he led out the side. An elbow injury left him sidelined later in the season.

Never one to shy away from controversy, he was banned for four weeks for punching Newcastle's Ian Peel in November's away defeat.

This week he said: "I haven't enjoyed the rugby. At 35, I'm fitter now than I've ever been. I've lost 14 kilos since last summer and I feel really healthy. But you don't need such fitness levels in English rugby because it's a stop-start game.

"Because of that rugby here won't get the floating support it needs to really go forward. It's not a sufficiently attractive game.

"Too many players, including me, have been playing below par.

"There is a way to go before Saracens turn the corner on and off the field. I feel sorry for them, but especially for Nigel Wray, for whom I have the greatest respect."

His Australian and Saracens colleague Brad Free will also return to Queensland before the end of his contract.

Sarries team administration manager Mike Scott said this week: "He has been speaking to Queensland, his former club, about the possibility of returning there. At the moment they have some scrum half problems and there is potentially a place for him in their Super 12 squad."

Free joined The Men in Black last year, but had his season cut short after breaking his leg in his debut for Ireland A against Canada in 1997.

The latest addition to the Saracens departure list is backs coach Paul Turner, who had signed a two-year deal at the end of September.

Director of rugby Mark Evans will take over the duties of the former Sale and Bedford fly-half, who only retired from the game last season, until a suitable replacement is found.

Turner, three times capped for Wales, had guided Bedford from the bottom of the second division to the Premiership but was released at the end of last week.

Scott said this week: "Paul was brought in to do a specific job, but it didn't work out. He will undoubtedly find a job with another Premiership side."

Only one Saracens name remains in the England side to face Wales at Wembley on Sunday.

Richard Hill, now a regular fixture at blindside flanker, will again link closely with Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back in the back division in England's bid to win the Grand Slam.

Neither Kyran Bracken or Danny Grewcock will play a part, after both men damaged the medial ligaments in their knees. Still no specific date has been set for their return, but Grewcock faces the longer lay-off.

Tony Diprose will captain England A in Friday night's clash against Wales A, accompanied by George Chuter.

Of Sarries' under-21 contingent, only prop John Dawson starts. Rob Thirlby, David Flatman, Ben Johnston and Matt Powell will be on the bench.

Richard Wallace (broken ankle) and Gavin Johnson (twisted ankle) should both be fully fit in time for the Leicester game on April 17. Both will be tested in the mid week game.

Boosting morale and returning Saracens to their match winning ways have been the priorities for the side this week.

The long break has allowed players to fully recover from knocks and attentions are now focused on the last six games of the season.

Scott said: "Morale is improving, but all that is really needed is a good performance against Leicester."

Following Newcastle's triumph against Richmond in the Tetley's Bitter Cup semi-final, the change to the Premiership fixtures against both Richmond and Newcastle have been finalised.

Saracens will play the away game against Richmond on Wednesday, May 12, while the home tie against Newcastle will be after the official end of the season on Thursday, May 20. Both games kick off at 7.45pm.

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