South African-born Brad Barritt is a powerful centre who adds a physical presence to both Saracens and England's back line.

He emerged as a rugby talent with Natal and the Sharks in Durban where he made his debut in 2006 before going on to share in his side's Super 14 Final loss to the Bulls in 2007 and their Currie Cup triumph in 2008. He also featured for the Emerging Springboks and helped them claim the IRB Nations Cup title in 2007.

A powerful centre, he opted for a switch to Saracens in 2008 and a series of impressive performances in the Premiership, and an English passport, brought him to the attention of England manager Martin Johnson. He was drafted into the England Saxons squad in 2009 and scored a try on his first appearance for the side against the United States in that year's Churchill Cup.

He retained his place in the England elite squad the following season and featured for the Saxons against Ireland 'A' and Italy 'A' and also helped Saracens reach their first ever Premiership Final. He returned to the Churchill Cup stage again that year but earned a late call-up to the England squad touring Australia and New Zealand where he made his first senior bow in the non-Test clash against New Zealand Maori.

Barritt shone throughout the title-winning season of 2010-11 for Sarries but failed to make a dent in the England pecking order. Former Sarries coach Brendan Venter led the calls for Barritt to be included at the expense of the likes of Shontayne Hape and Mike Tindall, but no England call-up proved to be forthcoming.

But with a new coaching infrastructure in place at England, they opted to include Barritt in the 2012 EPS squad after shining for Sarries in the early part of the 2011-12 season. And Barritt made his debut for England in their Calcutta Cup triumph over Scotland on February 4.

Barritt kept his place in the side for the remainder of the tournament and was named on the six-man shortlist for the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year soon after. With the likes of Manu Tuilagi and Jonathan Joseph vying for the centre berth in the national side, Barritt faced stiff competition for a spot in the England side but he was handed a start in their first Test against South Africa. An eye injury meant he lost his spot for the second Test but he got his chance off the bench in the third match.