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Andy Farrell is looking ahead to the new season with confidence thanks to his recovery from injury and several new additions at his club Saracens.

Former England league and union international Farrell (pictured) missed the tail-end of last season when he picked up a shoulder injury in Sarries' Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Ospreys.

But the 33-year-old, who captained GB at rugby league and played for England at the World Cup, is now fit and raring to go after recently signing a two-year contract extension with Saracens.

"It was massively frustrating to get the injury," Farrell explained from Saracens' pre-season training camp in Portugal.

"Having to go off in the game was bad enough but then to miss out on the semi-final was very hard to take. The good news is that I'm back in training and pre-season is going very well.

"There's a real freshness about the club at the moment and everyone is up for the year ahead. There is still a long way to go before the first game and plenty of hard work to do, but everything is going in the right direction."

The Sarries' squad has been boosted for the season ahead by the arrival of two international captains - England lock Steve Borthwick and Wales back-rower Michael Owen, who can also play at lock.

Also new to arrive is head coach Eddie Jones, who led Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup. Jones replaces Alan Gaffney, who has rejoined Irish club Leinster.

"Guys like Steve Borthwick and Michael Owen have come here for a reason - they realise there is a lot of potential here and that's something we've all believed for a good few years now," added Farrell, whose son Owen is an England junior international.

"It's the same with the new coaching staff - this is a club that has high quality people throughout the squad and backroom team.

"Michael and Steve have been there and done it and have lots of experience and enthusiasm. They have also joined us at times in their careers when they still have their best years ahead of them to take the club forward.

"I've worked with Steve in the England squads and he is hugely passionate about his rugby - not just in terms of his own game but also the team.

"That's why he is captain of England. He's someone who works extremely hard on his game and is always looking to improve and that will rub off on the rest of the squad."

Farrell is now in his fourth season with the North London club and his desire to succeed is just as strong as ever.

"We've shown we can make the semi-finals of competitions but now it's time to take that up a notch and get to finals and win something," he added.

"That's why I came to Saracens and that desire is still there. I want to win trophies at this club and be part of helping to make Saracens a successful side for many years to come."

Saracens open their Premiership campaign against Harlequins in the London double-header at Twickenham on September 6.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport