Northampton Saints have officially announced the departure of eight players from the Club following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, among whom are THREE England internationals.
#1. Paul Hill
Hill will depart the Club at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season to join Edinburgh Rugby.
The prop has made 187 appearances so far in Black, Green and Gold, having joined Saints back in 2015 from Yorkshire Carnegie.
Hill, 29, made his Northampton debut in October of that year against Worcester Warriors, and his performances earned him a call-up to England’s squad for the 2016 Six Nations. He made his international debut – the first of eight caps to date – against Italy in Rome.
The German-born tighthead has helped Saints reach three Gallagher Premiership semi-finals (2019, 2022, and 2023) during his time at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, and Hill picked up a Premiership Rugby Cup winners medal in 2019 as he started the final for Northampton against Saracens.
Hill has scored four tries along the way for Northampton, one of those coming against East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers in what was also his 100th appearance in Black, Green and Gold.
“I’ve been at Saints for nine years now, so obviously it will be difficult to leave the Club, but this was a really good opportunity for my family and I,” said Hill.
#2. Courtney Lawes
Lawes, the stalwart of Northampton Saints, will bid farewell to the club at the season's end, embarking on a new chapter with French outfit Brive.
With an illustrious career spanning 17 seasons and encompassing 274 appearances at Franklin's Gardens, Lawes leaves behind an indelible legacy.
Courtney Lawes of England continues his recovery from injury during the England Rugby Training camp at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park on 30 Jan. 2023 Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Reflecting on his departure, the 35-year-old acknowledged Northampton's efforts to retain him, yet cited Brive's offer as "transformative" for both himself and his family.
"I want to make it clear that I really would have liked to end my career as a one-club man, and Saints did absolutely everything they possibly could to make that happen - our conversations were all very positive," said Lawes.
"But, first and foremost, I have to make sure that my family and I are in the best position possible for my retirement, which will be in the next couple of years.
"This is likely to be the last contract I'll ever sign, and the offer I have received to play overseas will be transformational for my family, so there was no way I could turn it down and I took the decision to move away from Northampton."
#3. Alex Waller
The Saints legend will hang up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 season after an incredible 15 seasons in Black, Green and Gold.
The 34-year-old is the Club’s record appearance holder in the professional era, and the eighth-most capped player in Saints’ history, having made 370 appearances in a Northampton shirt to date.
The Kettering-born loosehead graduated from Saints’ Academy to make his senior debut in 2009, writing his name into Northampton’s history books after scoring the extra-time try which sealed the Premiership title for the men in Black, Green and Gold in 2014.
Waller captained the Club for three seasons from 2018 to 2021 – lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup in 2019 – but after 15 years on the field, the prop has decided that now is the right time to call it a day.
“It’s difficult to put into words what Northampton Saints means to me,” said Waller. “I’ve been involved with the Club since I was 14 years old, it’s been a massive part of my life.
#4. Gabe Hamer-Webb
Hamer-Webb, 23, entered the fold at Saints on a short-term agreement back in January, stepping in to bolster the squad amidst injuries and international call-ups.
Formerly representing England at the Under-20s level, Hamer-Webb's arrival injects additional dynamism into Northampton's back three, as he integrates into the squad at cinch Stadium, Franklin's Gardens, until the month's end.
With key figures like James Ramm, Tom Seabrook, and George Hendy sidelined due to injuries, and George Furbank and Tommy Freeman set to link up with the England squad for Six Nations preparations, Hamer-Webb's presence becomes all the more crucial.
However, the current arrangement indicates his eventual departure from the club come summer.
#5. Ethan Waller
The 31-year-old has notched up 124 appearances so far across two spells with the men in Black, Green and Gold, scoring five tries along the way. He also amassed 118 appearances with Worcester Warriors during his five seasons at Sixways.
Waller has also been Chair of the RPA since 2021, playing a key role in representing the interests of hundreds of current male and female professional rugby players in England.
But after 14 seasons the loosehead believes now is the right time to hang up his boots, and Waller is hoping to sign off in style this season with Saints competing for silverware on two fronts.
“I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that I would have been a professional athlete, so I’m really proud to have called this a job for over a decade,” he said.
“I’ve made some of the very best friends and memories from my career; I’ll never forget that incredible game away at Leinster in 2013, winning the Premiership Rugby Cup with Worcester, all the European away trips, and socials with the teammates I get to call my friends."
#6. Alex Moon
Moon will leave the club at the end of the season to join Bayonne.
The 27-year-old has made over 120 appearances since his Saints debut in 2016 and scored three tries.
He is a former England Under-20 international and took part in a 2020 training camp for the senior side.
"Alex's move was announced very quickly by Bayonne, and we're disappointed our supporters will have heard the news that way," boss Phil Dowson said.
"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."
Alex Moon of Northampton Saints looks dejected after losing during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints at Ashton Gate on 8 Sep. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Gallagher
#7. Charlie Savala
In a cross-border rugby transfer, Savala made his way to Northampton Saints on loan from Edinburgh Rugby for the 2023/24 season, landing in Northampton in November 2023.
The fly-half, who qualifies to play for England, boasts a tally of 33 appearances for Edinburgh since his inaugural outing in the 2020/21 United Rugby Championship campaign.
Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia, Savala embarked on his sporting journey in rugby league, honing his skills in Sydney Roosters' academy. However, a transition to rugby union beckoned, leading him to Scotland in 2020.
Despite showcasing notable prowess for the Saints, Savala's tenure with the English club appears temporary, with plans set for his return to Edinburgh at the season's conclusion.
#8. Lewis Ludlam
Ludlam, the 28-year-old captain of Premiership pace-setters Northampton Saints, is set to depart at the conclusion of the season.
Having garnered attention from French club Toulon, particularly following his contributions to England's third-place finish in the World Cup, Ludlam's move to the prominent French side has now been officially ratified.
Despite his significant role in Northampton, where he has amassed 121 senior appearances, Ludlam opted against extending his stay beyond the summer, declining the offer of a new contract.
"I know he has been torn," said Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson.
"He has made a difficult decision and we have to accept and respect that - but it doesn't make it any less disappointing to see him move on, after we offered a new contract and tried to keep him at Saints."
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
