Randell poised to sign as Saracens swap All Black skippers

English club Saracens says it is likely to sign former All Black captain Taine Randell by the weekend.

The news, which appeared on the Saracens' website yesterday, ends weeks of speculation about Randell's future.

It comes a week after the club sacked another ex-All Black skipper, Wayne Shelford, as its coach.

Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry said negotiations with Randell were almost complete.

"We've been in discussions for some time," Sinderberry said.

"We've been looking for someone of his ilk for a while now and he certainly will be a great signing.

"At only 28, he's certainly not a member of Dad's Army, and his resume makes fantastic reading.

"He will be a real asset to the club on and off the field."

Sinderberry said Randell would join the likes of Richard Hill and Kris Chesney in the back row, and set an example for the young and impressive Ben Skirving.

Randell's lawyer, Warren Alcock, of Dunedin, said no contract had yet been signed. He would not comment further.

Alcock had previously said Saracens were one of the options being considered for Randell and "may well be the preferred option."

Randell is contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union until the World Cup squad is named on August 25.

The Watford-based Saracens club is in the midst of a reshuffle for the new English season, which starts in September.

Last week, the club sacked Shelford, and his entire coaching staff, after only one season. It has already signed six new players, including Argentine prop Emiliano Bergamaschi and former French hooker and captain Raphael Ibanez.

The club has yet to announce who will replace Shelford, who took over at Saracens after the departure of South African Francois Pienaar midway through the 2001-02 season.

It is understood Randell is not being considered as a player-coach.

- NZPA