'Heavy heart': Salakaia-Loto quits Northampton with immediate effect

Northampton boss Phil Dowson has lost the services of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for 2023/24 after the Gallagher Premiership club agreed to release the Australian on compassionate grounds.

It was last month when the Saints thought they had completed their list of departures, adding the names of Brandon Nansen, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Ethan Grayson, Frankie Sleightholme, Callum Burns, Archie Kean, and Joseph Gaffan to the already confirmed exits of David Ribbans, Mike Haywood, Courtnall Skosan, Tom Collins, James Fish and Matt Proctor.

However, a fresh addition to that list has now been confirmed. A statement read: “Northampton can confirm that lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will depart the club with immediate effect. The 26-year-old second row joined ahead of the 2022/23 season from Queensland Reds.

"Salakaia-Loto made 24 appearances in total for Saints, scoring twice against Bristol Bears and Harlequins, both at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens."

Director of rugby Dowson said: “We’re disappointed to see Lukhan return home to Australia, but he made it clear that, while he has enjoyed every moment of his time as a Saint, his family have not settled so far away from home. No matter what, as a rugby player your family always has to come first, so we understand Lukhan’s decision and wish him the best moving forward.”

Salakaia-Loto added: “I’m leaving Saints with a heavy heart as I loved my first season representing Northampton and being part of a special group of players here. I believe the club has everything in place to challenge for major silverware in the years ahead, but you have to put your family before everything else, and being on the other side of the world from the rest of our loved ones has been difficult.

“So we have made the decision to return home to Australia, but I’ll always cherish the short time I had and how all the Saints supporters welcomed us into this community in Northampton. I’m leaving some great teammates and friends, but I hope the boys can kick on again next season – and I’ll be supporting everyone at Saints from afar.”