Schalk Brits & Matt Stevens among six new Saracens deals

Saracens have extended the deals of Schalk Brits, Matt Stevens, Rhys Gill, Jamie George, Petrus du Plessis and Carlos Nieto for undisclosed periods.

Three-times capped South Africa hooker Brits, 30, has featured 78 times for Sarries since arriving from Super 14 side Stormers in 2009.

Prop Stevens, 29, was a replacement in England's opening Six Nations victories against Scotland and Italy.

He returned to the international fold in 2011 after a two-year drugs ban.

"Matt is widely recognised as a world-class player, performing week in week out at the very highest level," said director of rugby Mark McCall.

"We are fortunate to have a player of such quality within our squad, and we are very pleased he has agreed to extend his contract."

Of Brits, McCall added: "I don't believe there is a club in Europe that would not like to have such a gifted and committed player."

Italy's Nieto, a 35-year-old prop who has won 31 international caps, has been a persistent member of the Saracens front row since arriving from Gloucester in 2009, playing 73 times.

Hooker George, 21, made his first-team debut last season and has gone on to feature in 39 games for the north London club.

Du Plessis, 30, and 25-year-old Wales international Gill, both props, have contributed six and 21 appearances respectively this term.

The Premiership champions announced new deals for six players - including Owen Farrell, Mouritz Botha and Ernst Joubert - on Wednesday, and are set to confirm six further contracts on Friday.

Meanwhile, scrum-half Peter Stringer will join Newcastle Falcons when his loan spell from Munster expires in early March.