Saracens forward Jamie George believes next season will be the most important of his career so far and and has urged the club to place their faith in him, rather than sign a new hooker.

George made his Sarries debut in November 2009 but has struggled to establish himself in the first team since, relying primarily on appearances off the bench or in the less prioritised LV= Cup.

The 22-year-old found himself behind experienced South African duo Schalk Brits and John Smit in the pecking order last season but with Smit having retired, George senses his moment has arrived.

"It’s going to be a massive season for me. Obviously with John leaving it creates an opportunity and if I can get a good pre-season behind me it will set me up nicely," George said.

"It’s definitely my most important season so far - I've been targeting it ever since last year really - so hopefully it's going to be a huge time for me.

"That's the main reason I’ve been working hard in the off-season so I can make the most of the chances I get."

George was assured by Saracens during the last campaign that he would be given more starts this season and those assurances were reiterated when he sat down with the coaching staff last month.

He said: "We all had end of season reviews and the main thing I got from mine is that this season is a big season for me, that I’m going to get more opportunities and I need to take my chance."

Smit's decision to retire and become chief executive at the Sharks means George's first team prospects are greatly improved. But the young forward admits he was also sad to see Smit leave.

"It was really mixed feelings for me because we became very close and he helped me out massively with my game throughout the two years that he was here," George said.

"John really did act as a mentor to me and I’m very grateful to him for everything he’s done.

"But then at the same time it hopefully gives me the chance to play more rugby which is what every rugby player wants to do."

George is now the second most senior hooker at Saracens and the club's inclusive rotation policy would see him handed regular starting spots throughout the season.

He hopes that remains the situation going into the new campaign and believes there's no need for the club to bring in reinforcements.

"I hope they leave it as it is, I think we’ve got a good crop of hookers at the club already," he said.

"There’s Schalk and myself but then there are three younger guys as well.

"There’s Jared Saunders who's just converted from prop, Scott Spurling who’s always been with the England Under-20s and Max Crumpton who’s also involved in the England Under-20s.

"So there’s a good crop of guys coming through and I think we can back those players as well.

"I don’t think we need to bring in a backup hooker but then I would say that wouldn’t I?"

Having represented England at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 level, George was tipped for a big future in the game when he first emerged on the scene at Saracens.

He believes however he is a much better player now and he's ready to take his chance.

"I'm a much better player now than I was three years ago and that’s down to the coaching at Sarries as well as the help I've got from John and Schalk.

"When I made it into the first team I was just a year out of school and in my first year as a professional and as great as it was I had to learn very quickly.

He added: "I think I’m ready now. I became a lot more confident throughout last season and physically I'm in a lot better shape.

"I think I put in some of my best performaces at the end of last season - I feel like this is my time and hopefully I can show that."

George insists that despite sometimes feeling frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities, he has never thought about leaving the Men in Black.

"I never considered leaving Saracens," he said. "I'm a Sarries boy through and through and I wanted to stay at the club the entire time."