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Mystery surrounds who exactly Saints have signed to replace Picamoles
By Ian Cameron
Northampton Saints have confirmed that they have found Louis Picamoles' replacement, but they haven't revealed who exactly it is.
According to Tom Vicker in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Jim Mallinders has confirmed that they have found his placement, but crucially he won't arrive until the new year.
The fact that the future number 8 won't arrive until 2018 suggests that is likely he's playing in the Southern Hemisphere or in the Japanese Top League.
“We have got a long-term replacement for Louis Picamoles, but he won’t be here until the new year," Jim Mallinder told the Chronicle.
In the meantime they have re-signed 6'5, 114kg Sam Dickinson. Veteran backrow Dickinson had been released by the club at the end of last season, but he returns on a short term deal.
At the end of May Saints reluctantly allowed the barnstorming Picamoles to return to France on a significant 'transfer fee'.
A statement from the Saints at the time read: “Louis Picamoles will be leaving the club to rejoin Montpellier, his first professional club, as the French Federation now wants its internationals to be playing in the Top 14.
“The 31-year-old has received a proposal from Montpellier which will underpin the future financial stability for his family.
"The club has therefore reluctantly agreed to the transfer and accepted a significant transfer fee for his services. This fee will be reinvested into the playing squad to ensure Northampton Saints continues to strive for success on the pitch. To achieve this, the Saints is looking to further strengthen the squad with new signings in addition to the world-class talent already confirmed for 2017/18.
“The Saints’ management would like to thank Louis for his contribution to this season and wish him all the best for the future.”
Picamoles, who spent seven years with Toulouse before joining Northampton on a three-year deal in 2016, added: “I am proud to have played for Northampton Saints and I have enjoyed my time with the club.
“I am grateful for all the support and friendship I have received? from the club, the coaches, my team mates and supporters.”
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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