Saints' mass exodus XV
Last Friday Northampton Saints confirmed that the latest two players – Jamie Elliott and Michael Paterson – will both leave the Club at the end of the season. The duo brings to 17 the number of players that are leaving the club by the end of what has been a problematic season for the club.
The mass clearout comes as the club clear the decks for the arrival of Chris Boyd.
The current Hurricanes coach who will bring with him a number of high profile signings from Super Rugby, with the signings of Taqele Naiyaravoro, Will Davis, Ben Franks and Dom Barrow for the 2018/19 campaign already confirmed for next season.
Here’s a composite XV made up of players that are set to leave the club by the end of this season.
15 Ben Foden
Foden made a total of 250 appearances for the club and in total played 34 times for the England scoring seven tries, including two during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Has been linked to a move to the MLR.
14 George North
While the end of his career at Saints was marred by controversy and the fans attitude to the Welsh phenom has soured somewhat, there’s no denying thd firepower he brought when fit and in form.
13 Rob Horne
Tragically Rob Horne’s career has been cut short after suffering what has been described as a life-changing injury to his right arm. The hard-hitting outside centre won 34 caps for the Wallabies, representing Australia in two Rugby World Cups and against the British and Irish Lions in 2013 before coming to Franklin Gardens in 2017.
The 23-year-old Stephenson made over 50 appearances in Black, Green and Gold since coming through the Club’s Academy. Injuries then limited his chances to impress at Franklin’s Gardens, although he returned to first-team action earlier this season and has turned out 13 times since for Saints.
11 Jamie Elliot
In eight seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, Bedford-born Elliott racked up 115 appearances in total after making his Saints debut as an 18-year-old. The 25-year-old scored 34 tries for the Club in total and helped Saints to a sensational Premiership and European Challenge Cup double in 2014, but injuries have restricted his playing opportunities since midway through last season.
The fly-half made his debut for Saints in 2006, having switched codes from rugby league to union earlier that year. Myler then played a huge role in Saints’ return to the Aviva Premiership in the 2007/08 season, with Northampton recording a 100 per cent winning record in the RFU Championship.
The 28-year-old No.9 arrived at Franklin’s Gardens in 2016 and quickly established himself in Saints’ starting line-up, making 51 appearances in the Black, Green and Gold jersey in total and scoring seven tries.
1 Campese Ma’afu
The 33-year-old has made 35 appearances for Saints having joined from French side Provence in 2016. Fiji international Ma’afu followed in his brother Salesi’s footsteps to join the Club and made his Saints debut against Harlequins three seasons ago.
Joining Saints at the beginning of the 2016/17 season after stints with Leicester Tigers’ Academy, Nottingham, Loughborough Students, Jersey and Bedford Blues, 26-year-old hooker Clare has made 18 appearances in a Northampton shirt since making his debut against Bath Rugby.
Yet to be confirmed as a Wasp, Brookes, 27, arrived at Franklin’s Gardens back in 2015 and has made 71 appearances in Black, Green and Gold to date. The powerful tighthead won six of his 16 England caps as a Saint.
Kieron Brookes is leaving Saints at the end of the season
The retiring 34-year-old secondrow has been a part of the furniture at Franklin’s Gardens since 2008, winning a plethora of silverware in his time at the Club – including an Anglo-Welsh Cup, two European Challenge Cups, and the Aviva Premiership title.
5 Michael Patterson
The Kiwi-born lock brought a raft of experience to Northampton’s second row. He notched up a half-century of appearances in Black, Green and Gold earlier this season against Ospreys, and ends his time at Franklin’s Gardens with 60 appearances to his name.
Back-row Nutley made his first-team Saints debut back in 2010, before breaking into the side during the 2011/12 season. He made 80 appearances for the club as well as helping Northampton to a league and European Challenge Cup double in 2014, Nutley has also starred for the Wanderers in recent seasons.
7 Will Allman
The modestly sized 6’1, 91kg backrow never made a first-team appearance for Saints but featured for the Wanderers, although injury ultimately limited his opportunities to make a case for his talents.
8 Jordan Onojaife
Normally a lock, we’ve picked the 6’5, Onojaife, 22, at No.8. Onojaife joined Saints Academy in 2011, and went on to feature for both England’s Under-18s and Under-20s before making his senior debut in Black, Green and Gold in 2015.
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