{"id":18460,"date":"2024-02-05T07:35:16","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T12:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/lewis-ludlam-england-internationals-departure-from-northampton-saints-at-end-of-season-confirmed-rugby-union-news\/05\/02\/2024\/"},"modified":"2024-02-05T07:35:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T12:35:16","slug":"lewis-ludlam-england-internationals-departure-from-northampton-saints-at-end-of-season-confirmed-rugby-union-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/lewis-ludlam-england-internationals-departure-from-northampton-saints-at-end-of-season-confirmed-rugby-union-news\/05\/02\/2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Lewis Ludlam: England international’s departure from Northampton Saints at end of season confirmed | Rugby Union News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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England international Lewis Ludlam will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the 2023\/24 Gallagher Premiership season ahead of an expected move to France.<\/p>\n

Saints confirmed on Monday that their 28-year-old club captain will depart following eight seasons in the senior squad at Franklin’s Gardens.<\/p>\n

Ludlam, who was a member of England’s squad at the last two Rugby World Cups and was offered a new deal by Northampton, has been linked with a move to Top 14 giants Toulon.<\/p>\n

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If the back-row forward heads abroad, then he will no longer be eligible for England selection under Rugby Football Union rules.<\/p>\n

“This has been an extremely tough decision for me,” Ludlam said. “I believe I have given everything physically and emotionally to this club, and I hope our fans have seen how much it has meant to me to represent Northampton in the way I play the game.<\/p>\n

“At the end of the season, I say goodbye as a player to start a new adventure, but I will always be a Saints man.”<\/p>\n

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\n Owen Farrell is moving to France with Racing 92 at the end of the season
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Ludlam has won 25 England caps, along with making 121 appearances for Northampton, but was not included in Steve Borthwick’s 36-player squad for this year’s Six Nations.<\/p>\n

Should a move to France be confirmed, the back row would follow Owen Farrell in crossing the Channel for next season, with the former England captain linking up with Racing 92.<\/p>\n

Flanker Jack Willis (Toulouse), centre Joe Marchant (Stade Francais) and winger Henry Arundell (Racing 92) are all currently plying their trade in the Top 14 as well.<\/p>\n

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\n Henry Arundell is among the England internationals already playing in the Top 14
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“Obviously, we are disappointed to see a player of Lewis’ ability and character move on,” Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said.<\/p>\n

“I have loved watching Lewis’ journey – first as a player, then as a coach and now as director of rugby – and I have the utmost respect for everything he has achieved.<\/p>\n

“I know he has been torn. Luds loves the club, the town, our supporters, and is desperate for Saints to succeed.<\/p>\n

“He has made a difficult decision and we have to accept and respect that, but it doesn’t make it any less disappointing to see him move on, after we offered a new contract and tried to keep him at Saints.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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England international Lewis Ludlam will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the 2023\/24 Gallagher Premiership season ahead of an expected move