Kruis boost for Saracens

Saracens's England lock George Kruis has given his side a boost ahead of their European Champions Cup semifinal by signing a new contract.

The academy product has put pen to paper to a multi-year contract extension with the north London club ahead of their last-four clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint Etienne.

Kruis, 25, has earned seven England caps since his debut at the end of last season.

"I'm very happy to have signed my new deal,"the lock said.

"I look at the people around me, the four or five guys who came through the ranks with me and all of us are pretty well established within the team. "

"It's a big moment for me to sign on again, and keep playing with those group of players and the rest of the squad in the future.

"We've have a great off the field ethos at Saracens, the club are very interested in player welfare and on the pitch we're in a great position in the league and in Europe.

"It was a no brainer for me to extend my deal.

"You always want to get these things off your mind as soon as possible it's been relatively pain free for me. I'm delighted to commit my future to Saracens."

If Saracens can return to England victorious, they will face either RC Toulon or Leinster in the Twickenham Final.

Director of Rugby Mark McCall said they are "delighted" that Kruis has committed his future to the club.

"He has been at Saracens for a long time, and is part of core group of players who have progressed from the academy to establish themselves as key players at the club," McCall said.

"He has been in phenomenal form this season for both club and country, and his standing within the group has grown considerably. He's only going to get better and better as a player, and we're excited to see him do that here at Saracens."