Josh Hallett says the feel-good vibes are permeating through Saracens after their return to the Premiership as he bids to make his full debut this season.
The outside centre, 21, earned a taste of the big-time last September when he made his senior debut in the 40-17 win over Exeter Chiefs.
Fast forward to the present and Hallett scored a try and provided an assist for Saracens Storm in their 71-21 blowout win over Ealing Trailfinders at the end of last month to coincide with the senior team's winning return to the Premiership at Ashton Gate.
The progress of both teams is reliant on the other with the way director of rugby Mark McCall has weekly training units set for the first team to compete against the Storm, and that has led to a special bond, Hallett says.
He explains: “On the night we played Bristol, I was with quite a lot of the academy lads and even at our house there was a bit of an atmosphere! I wish we all could have gone to the game, but we had one the following day against Bedford.
“From a Storm side, we have to bring the energy throughout the week in order to prepare the first team for the weekend.
“If we don't bring that intensity, it doesn't set them up right. They want to rip in from Monday and we have a big part to play.
“I think it shows that the whole team plays a part in the wins. You can feel the confident vibe growing during the week and you saw what happened on Friday night against Bristol.
“We train as the ‘A' League team against the first team and that has its benefits, but it was so good to play with all those boys against Ealing.
“We haven't had that many opportunities to do that and the way Saracens play comes naturally to me. It's all I have ever known and to do that with your mates is a feeling that's second to none.”
Like fellow centre Dom Morris, Hallett found his way to Saracens through the programme at New Hall School and lives with some of the top ensemble to have come through the senior academy in the last two years.
“I live with Ollie Stonham, Harvey Kindell-Beaton, Theo Dan and Charlie Watson,” added Hallett, currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
“Theo has had a 15-month injury he has just come back from and played the other day and it was such a good feeling to be back out there with him.
“Playing for the Storm is great because I am playing with my best mates, the guys that I live with, and that is something that I value and gives me a huge appreciation for the game.
“Fingers crossed my hamstring is all good for the Premiership Cup games around November time and then I can look to get involved in any games I can.”
