Statement: Northampton Saints confirm EIGHT departures, list includes three England stars

24/04/2024 11:11

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.

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.”

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