Saracens are understood to be considering staging games next season in South Africa and Belgium in addition to five matches at Vicarage Road.

The Premiership rugby club have confirmed their first game at their new home in Copthall Stadium will be against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, February 16.

Sarries will host five matches next season in the redeveloped Mill Hill athletics stadium and plan to play five in Watford.

The Hornets have agreed in principle for Sarries to stage games at their ground next season between November and January.

But Watford released a statement which revealed the agreement has yet to be approved by the club's executive management team. Confirmation of the tenancy extension agreement is likely to be announced within the coming days.

The Men in Black wanted to play a Heineken Cup match last season in Cape Town but this fell through. However the ambitious Premiership club still want to take a fixture out to South Africa in the new year and are also weighing up the possibility of a game in Belgium.

Sarries have a partnership with the Brussels Barbarians and rugby union is becoming increasingly popular in the country.

Saracens have unveiled the first batch of their 'home' games next season which confirmed they will take on Northampton Saints in Milton Keynes at Stadium MK on Sunday, December 30. The club will also play Leicester Tigers at Wembley on Saturday, September 15.

Another central London venue will be used for a home match and this is reportedly likely to be Craven Cottage where Fulham play.

Chief executive Edward Griffiths said: "There is a long list with a range of options but we're not yet in position where we can confirm the other games and where they will be played.

"I think people appreciate that it is a season of transition and the response has been good. We've handed out a letter to Barnet residents inviting them to register their interest in buying a season ticket for Copthall and the numbers have been very strong.

"We always felt we would fill the new stadium and we are heading towards it. We will take an overwhelming number of our supporters from Watford with us and we are also picking up supporters."