TOM RYDER wants to be a Saracen for life - even though he could spend a good part of the next few years playing second fiddle to All Black star Chris Jack.

The New Zealander made his Sarries debut with South African whippet Brent Russell in Monday's A game and both will make their senior bows in tomorrow's (Saturday's) Heineken Cup clash with Viadana. Jack's inclusion means a rare breather for Ryder, who has been outstanding alongside Hugh Vyvyan and Kris Chesney this season.

However, the 22-year-old is not one to rest on his laurels and has vowed to push the former Canterbury Crusaders all the way for the number four shirt.

"It's fantastic having a player of Chris's quality here and hopefully I am going to learn so much from him," said Ryder.

"I saw him play on Monday and everything he does he does well. He does the basic things so well, is strong in the line out and is one of, if not the best second row in the world. I'll learn a lot of very good things from a very good player."

"However, even though he is a New Zealand international I am not going to roll over and let him take my place," continued the England Under-21 star. "I have my own personal ambitions and I will make it as difficult as I can for the coaches (about who to select).

"The second row is probably one of the most competitive positions at the club. You have to be on top of your game all the time and cannot afford to let your standards drop."

The former Leicester Tigers lock is now in his third season at Vicarage Road and is loving every minute of it. He is highly rated by director of rugby Alan Gaffney and you can see why. A well-drilled, abrasive competitor on the pitch, Ryder is affable and well spoken off it and has already staked a valid claim for young player of the season just a dozen games in.

"It's been going really well," he added. "I feel I am playing well and am becoming more experienced every year. The team has also been playing well and we've had some good victories. We're in the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup, are doing well in the league and have made a reasonable start in the Heineken Cup."

Now in his third season with Sarries, Ryder has a year left on his contract and, with time on his side compared to thirty-something second rows Kris Chesney, Iain Fullarton and Hugh Vyvyan, and 29-year-old Jack, he has no desire to move anywhere else.

"I would love to stay at Saracens," he said. "It's a great club and was a fantastic move for me. I've progressed a lot and would happily spend the rest of my career here."

If he is granted his wish Ryder might actually get on the scoresheet before he hangs up his boots. In 40 appearances for the Men in Black Ryder has clocked up more than 2,100 minutes on the pitch but has yet to cross the whitewash. Fellow lock Hugh Vyvyan has already shown this season that scoring tries from behind the front row is not beyond the realms of impossibility, and Ryder hopes to follow suit.

"Scoring a try is in the back of my mind but it's not crucial. Nobody has really pointed that out until now, so thanks very much!"

When he is not helping the pack jostle for possession Ryder follows the fortunes of Vicarage Road's other team. And with the Orns top of the tree and Sarries handily placed in third, Ryder is enjoying some domestic bliss.

"It's a happy Ryder household at the moment," he said. "My dad is from Watford and is an avid Hornets fan and I was brought up to support them. I was a season ticket holder for two years. Unfortunately the two games I have been to see this season Watford have lost both! I will go again and hopefully see them win."

Ryder will watch from the stands tomorrow when his team-mates go in search for five points against Italian side Viadana and warned it will not be the pushover many are expecting.

"Viadana are a very competitive team as you can see from their recent results. They only lost to Biarritz by a few points and took Glasgow pretty close. The Italian sides are not the whipping boys of rugby any more and we will have to be careful."

Jack, meanwhile, is relishing making his senior bow tomorrow.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out on the pitch at Vicarage Road and getting some first team action," he said. "It's exciting to be involved in the Heineken Cup and playing in different competitions against new teams and facing new challenges is one of the main reasons why I came to Saracens.

"I made the decision to look to come over to Europe a while ago after deciding that the recent World Cup would be my last with the All Blacks. I wanted to play in Europe and the way Saracens have been going as a team made it feel like the right place for me."

The towering lock, who confirmed his All Black career was over after 67 caps, said he spoke at length with fly-half Glen Jackson before plumping to join the Men in Black.

"I talked to Glen quite a bit and also the forwards coach Adrian Kennedy who, like me is from Christchurch. My wife also came over and liked the place. We wanted somewhere where we could live a different lifestyle but also be close to the action. I want to come over here and play at the highest level possible with Saracens."