The upcoming season presents the current Northampton Saints prop with a potentially final opportunity to clinch the Premiership title, as the club is set to bid farewell to no less than five prominent players next summer.
Alex Moon to Bayonne
it has been confirmed that the 27-year-old rugby player, who boasts 115 appearances since his debut with the Saints in 2016 and has notched up three tries, is set to join the Top 14.
The former England Under-20 international, who participated in a senior side training camp in 2020, is now poised for a move abroad.
Expressing disappointment at the abrupt revelation, manager Phil Dowson remarked, "Alex's move was announced very quickly by Bayonne, and we're disappointed our supporters will have heard the news that way.
"We wanted to keep hold of Moony, but there were a few forces at play, with him wanting to play abroad at some stage and not being involved with England in the here and now."
Lewis Ludlam to Toulon
The 28-year-old back row, who has been heavily linked with a move to Toulon, departs the club after eight seasons in Saints’ senior squad, in which he has notched up 121 appearances and 80 points for the men in Black, Green and Gold.
Ludlam is a product of Northampton’s Academy set-up, making his debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2016 against Newcastle Falcons, but the Club captain will head for pastures new in June at the end of his current contract with Saints.
“Ever since I started playing rugby as an eight-year-old, I dreamt of being a Saint,” Ludlam said. “While the journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing, our supporters have made every moment special for me – both the good and the bad.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have played with some great players and even better blokes, to have been coached day in, day out by some of the best coaches in the game, and looked after physically by people who truly care in the Strength and Conditioning and Medical departments.
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
“This has been an extremely tough decision for me. I believe I've given everything physically and emotionally to this Club – and will continue to do so – and I hope our fans have seen how much it has meant to me to represent Northampton in the way I play the game.”Lewis Ludlam
“At the end of the season, I say goodbye as a player to start a new adventure, but I will always be a Saints man. Until then, I’ll do everything I can to make sure that my final goodbye at the end of the season is singing ‘Shoe Army’ with silverware in hand.”
Courtney Lawes to Brive
Although the official announcement is yet to be made, Lawes has allegedly reached an agreement with Brive, currently holding the sixth position on the ProD2 table, in what is deemed a significant coup for the Corrèze club.
Sunday's Midi Olympique story further emphasized Brive's decisive strides in securing Lawes' services.
The Northampton veteran, whose contract expires in June, had explored options with Brive, Aix-en-Provence, and Montpellier.
Despite receiving written offers from all three clubs, Brive's aggressive pursuit appears to have clinched the Englishman's signature.
Upon joining Brive, Lawes is set to team up with former Wales No.8 Ross
