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Northampton statement: David Ribbans' exit to Top 14 is confirmed
By Liam Heagney
Northampton have confirmed that England lock David Ribbans will quit at the end of the current season for a move to the Top 14. The second row, who has been at Franklin’s Gardens since the 2016/17 season, has reportedly accepted a three-year deal to join Toulon, a decision that will bring to an end his England Test career after the end of the Rugby World Cup later this year.
A statement read: “Northampton Saints can confirm that David Ribbans will depart the club at the end of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old lock has pulled on the Black, Green and Gold jersey 115 times to date, starting 98 matches for Northampton and scoring 17 tries so far.
“Ribbans made the switch to Saints from South African outfit Western Province in January 2017 and helped Northampton reach the semi-finals of the Gallagher Premiership and win the Premiership Rugby Cup in former director of rugby Chris Boyd’s first season at the helm.
“He kicked on in 2019/20 when he was named players’ player of the season by his Saints peers, and made it a double success the following campaign, as he claimed both the players’ player and supporters’ player of the season gongs.
“He reached a significant milestone while helping Saints reach the Premiership semi-finals once more in the 2021/22 season, making his 100th appearance for the club against Wasps during which he won the man-of-the-match award.
“After several inclusions in England training squads, international honours finally followed for Ribbans last November when he earned three caps in the autumn internationals against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.”
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “As a coaching group, we are very proud of the progress Dave has made during his time at Saints. He arrived in Northampton as a 21-year-old without many Super Rugby appearances to his name. He will leave as a fully-fledged England international and a proven performer in the Gallagher Premiership, one of the most attritional and competitive leagues in the world.
“You always want to create an environment for players where they can work hard, thrive, win matches and be successful on the international stage. Sometimes, that means players become attractive propositions for other clubs.
“Dave leaves to pursue a playing opportunity in France next season. It’s disappointing to lose a player of his calibre and we were surprised Dave wanted to leave the club at this time. But he is a professional and will be putting all his efforts into his final months in Northampton to ensure the team is as successful as possible. We will wish him well after that.”
Ribbans added: “I love playing for Saints and living in Northamptonshire, so this was not an easy decision for me to make. I’m extremely grateful to the club’s supporters for embracing me as they have in my time here, and to the coaches and support staff for everything they have done to improve me as a player.
“I’ll be sad to leave some great friends and teammates, but I’ll be giving everything I’ve got to make sure we finish the season as strongly as possible.”
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Latest Comments
Just how many losses are the RFU prepared to accept before realising Borthwick is no-ones idea of a top coach .
If he is led by stats , then why is ford in the 23 again .
Surely Furbank should have been on the bench with his ability to play in three positions to fords only one .
Talk about not knowing his idea of moving the team forward.
Steward , lovely player , but to keep chopping about just makes the team adjusting to different personnel .
Will S Africa give Borthwick the runaround and NOT kick chase .
Go to commentsI cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.
This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.
A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.
Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.
When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.
Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.
The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.
I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.
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