Francois Pienaar, Tim Horan, Michael Lynagh, Thomas Castaignede, Philippe Sella, Kyran Bracken and Taine Randell reads like a who's who of world rugby.
Throw in Richard Hill, the back-row warrior who is the most unsung member of England's World Cup-winning squad in 2003, and the list also doubles up as collection of the rugby union alumni who have graced the red and black of Saracens, the great underachievers in the Guinness Premiership.
Yet for all the luminaries who have been lured, and reared, at the club, all they have to show for the last 13 years of professional rugby is one trophy, secured in 1998.
In fact it was that long ago that the domestic cup competition has changed its name twice and now includes teams from Wales to make it more competitive. The only thing that has been gathering in the club's trophy cabinet since is dust. Nigel Wray, the business tycoon worth a reported £150m (Dh803m), has bankrolled the dream but, so far, has failed to transfer his acumen in business into the boardroom of the club.
Wray has a penchant for going through coaches like some people go through socks (Brendan Venter, the incoming head coach, will be their seventh in as many years). Eschewing a similar revolving door policy on players, this has done little to promote stability but it has made for compelling viewing since they transferred their base from north London to Hertfordshire in 1997 to embrace the professional era - a move that transported the club on to my doorstep.
They have veered from intoxicating to insipid at times but my support for them never seems to wane because one day, just maybe, you suspect they might just get it right.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
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The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now