I joined Saracens to win more caps for Scotland
SAYS SEAN MAITLAND
SCOTLAND star Sean Maitland claims it was with a heavy heart that he has left relegated London Irish to join Saracens. But the 27-year-old admits it was a move he had to make to keep his international career alive.
National team coach Vern Cotter has never picked a player from the English Championship and wouldn’t have made an exception even for the British and Irish Lion.
The moment Maitland’s club was officially demoted from the Aviva Premiership after a 32-25 defeat to Harlequins last month, he knew his only choice was to leave if he wanted to add to his 21 Scotland caps.
He was officially listed as a London Irish player three weeks ago when Cotter named his 27-strong squad for the two-Test series in Japan, but knew he wouldn’t be for much longer. The only question was which team he would sign for.
Agreeing a long-term deal with European Champions Saracens yesterday, on the same day he linked up with the Scotland squad at Murrayfield for the first day of their training camp, clearly came as a huge relief.
‘It is a shame how things turned out at London Irish but playing rugby in the Championship next season would not have helped me with Scotland so that was one of the key decisions for the move,’ said Maitland.
‘The Scotland situation was a worry and something that I had to consider. I’m 27 and still think I have many years to give.
‘It has been a tough year and when I signed for London Irish I didn’t expect to find myself in a relegation battle in the first place. There are a lot of great people there and it’s a shame the way things have turned out. People’s livelihoods and jobs are at stake and I was gutted for everybody involved.
‘When you’re not getting the results your confidence takes a hit, especially when you end up being relegated. That was the first experience I’ve had like that as I’d come from teams who were winning or challenged for trophies regularly like Glasgow Warriors. I was very grateful Saracens were interested. Everything’s about timing, so I was just very lucky.’
It’s an indication of Maitland’s quality that, even after relegation, he was still a wanted man. Bath and Gloucester were among the other clubs linked with him before he decided to sign for the European champions and English Premiership title holders. He joins a strong Caledonian contingent at the starstudded club including ex-Scotland captain Kelly Brown, Jim Hamilton and Duncan Taylor.
Maitland’s ability to perform at wing and full-back will do his bid for selection no harm and was one of the reasons Saracens offered him a deal. Although he will go to Japan primarily as a winger, if Stuart Hogg is injured he will take over the No15 jersey.
‘Look, I’ll play anywhere in the back three but there’s going to be a lot of competition for my new club and again with Scotland in that area,’ said the New Zealand-born utility back. ‘It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to but just now my focus is with Scotland. It’s going to be really tough against Japan as most of their best guys are back and they’ve got some people playing Super Rugby who are top quality.
‘We beat them pretty well in the World Cup but there will be no complacency against a top-class side with home advantage.
‘I can’t wait to play them because I wasn’t picked for the last couple of games in the Six Nations. That was the first time I wasn’t selected in the Scotland jersey so it sort of gave me a kick up the bum. I really want to get back in that jersey and I’m just grateful to put it on for these two Tests against Japan.’
Blair Cowan could also be on his way out of London Irish and he is discussing a move to Bath. Having dropped down the Scotland pecking order after the emergence of John Hardie, a switch to The Rec could yet re-ignite his international career.