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Northampton confirm four big-name players are leaving this summer
By Kim Ekin
Northampton have confirmed that Ahsee Tuala, Api Ratuniyarawa, Piers Francis and Taqele Naiyaravoro will all depart the Gallagher Premiership club at the end of the current season. The experienced quartet has 23 seasons and over 400 appearances for the Saints between them but will move on to pastures new with Phil Dowson set to succeed Chris Boyd as director of rugby at Franklin's Gardens.
“All four players have made massive contributions to our environment and what we have achieved in recent seasons. They will be missed around our camp when they leave,” said Dowson, the incoming Northampton boss.
“Ace is a genius with the ball in his hands, but he is also an incredible Saintsman and does a lot away from what you will see on the pitch. He is constantly looking after and coaching the youngsters, trying to pass on knowledge, so he has been a big part of our culture for several years now.
“For me, Api has been one of the best heavyweight locks in the Premiership during his time here and works unbelievably hard to both improve his game and develop athletically.
"Off the field, he holds a lot of gravitas within the squad – anyone nicknamed ‘the Sheriff’ or ‘the Boss’ is obviously bound to be a legend of a man – so we will miss having him amongst the group, but he has made a decision with his family’s long-term future in mind.
“You won’t find many players that work harder than Piers to unlock their very best on the field. He is an awesome athlete who takes great care over his conditioning, but he is also an international-quality centre - which sometimes he doesn’t get the full credit for - who always brings an incredible competitiveness and toughness with him onto the field.
“Last but not least, Taqele is one of very few players who on their day is un-defendable. He can change matches and beat teams on his own with his huge physicality, but his skillset and soft skills are often underrated too. He has been unlucky with injuries the last couple of years and like all of those who are leaving us, we wish him the best for the future.”
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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