Saracens back-rower Jackson Wray is eyeing up a fifth Premiership title, ahead of his retirement at the end of the season. The 32-year-old confirmed that this 15th season as a Saracen will be his last, with over 300 appearances for the club, Wray leaves the StoneX Stadium a undeniable club legend.
“To win this year would be a selfishly rewarding way for me to finish. It would be the completion of the journey – fingers crossed we can do that.” Wray said to the official Saracens club website.
“Saracens have taught me everything I’ve learned both on and off the field. The club is in my blood, which sounds a bit corny, but it is all my family and I have ever known,” said Jackson.
“Since I made the call to finish, all the training sessions and the games have had a different feel to them. Everything has meant more to me, and I’ve tried to milk everything out of every one of them. It really is going to be quite strange finishing up.
“I will always love the place and remain very, very close to the club. I’ve been here a long time and it will take a bit of time to reflect properly. But the overriding feelings at the moment are of pride and good fortune.”
Wray has already bid farewell on the field at the StoneX Stadium, in Saracens 38-15 dismantling of Northampton Saints in the Premiership play-off semi-finals. This marked Wray’s 303rd cap for the ‘Men in Black’, and he is hoping to add to his impressive collection of winners medals in his final match for the London club.
Wray’s four previous Premiership triumphs came in two back-to-back title retentions, as Saracens dominated the top flight in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The back-rower has also been apart of each of Sarries’ Heineken Champions Cup successes, playing in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 finals.
“My relationship with the club won’t disappear, we’ve come through far too much to get divorced. I just feel so very fortunate to have been here for so long, ever since I was 15.” Wray said to the Saracens media team.
“I just came in every day to work as hard as I could. It was the coach’s job to make me better, although I soon realised you have to give your all to get better and to make the most out of rugby and everything it brings.
“I like to think I’m consistent, but that consistency only came from having driven people around me. I’ve also realised this week that I’m stubborn and it will be nice for people to stop calling me that on a daily basis.
“We are very fortunate to do what we do and then to have done what we’ve done at this club. Not everything has gone well, but not being able any more to share these special days with the people I’ve grown up with will be tough.