The 2024/2025 season of the French Pro D2 is about to start, and the number of international players keeps growing with the likes of Courtney Lawes, George North, Chris Farrell, and Curwin Bosch having joined it.
New Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson will lead a group of 60 players in his first season at the helm - up from 58 in 2021/22 - with 19 new faces arriving at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, including Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick praised the impact fly-half Freddie Burns has made in his second spell at the club, as he orchestrated his side’s 35-20 Gallagher Premiership victory over Northampton.
Nemani Nadolo scored two tries as Premiership leaders Leicester did the double over Northampton by dispatching them 35-20 at Welford Road.
Dan Biggar has been excluded by Northampton but fellow 2021 Lions Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson will be lining out in Belfast.
Talisman Finn Russell has been restored to a star-studded Racing 92 line-up for Friday's Champions Cup opener away to Northampton Saints.
Karl Wilkins was 18 when he decided to embark on a French adventure that has now ended with him coming back to Northampton all grown up.