England flanker makes ‘extremely tough decision’ amid links to French giants
Northampton Saints' Lewis Ludlam (left) celebrates scoring his side's second try of the game during the Gallagher Premiership match at the cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.
England flanker Lewis Ludlam will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the 2023/24 season, the club has confirmed.
Ludlam represented England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but was omitted from the Six Nations squad amid reports that he would join French club Toulon.
Northampton have now confirmed that their club captain has opted to ‘pursue a move away from the club’ that he has spent the past eight seasons representing.
Tough decision
The 28-year-old has played 121 times for Northampton and is rumoured to be off to the Top 14, following Owen Farrell, who has signed with Racing 92.
While his next designation is yet to be officially confirmed, he has been heavily linked to Toulon, with the move set to make him ineligible to represent England.
“Ever since I started playing rugby as an eight-year-old, I dreamt of being a Saint,” Ludlam said.
“While the journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing, our supporters have made every moment special for me – both the good and the bad.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have played with some great players and even better blokes, to have been coached day in, day out by some of the best coaches in the game, and looked after physically by people who truly care in the Strength and Conditioning and Medical departments.
“This has been an extremely tough decision for me. I believe I’ve given everything physically and emotionally to this Club – and will continue to do so – and I hope our fans have seen how much it has meant to me to represent Northampton in the way I play the game.”
“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. Until then, I’ll do everything I can to make sure that my final goodbye at the end of the season is singing ‘Shoe Army’ with silverware in hand.”
More players to follow
It is also reported that England tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler will join Ludlam at Toulon, while Saints’ teammate Alex Moon has already been unveiled as Bayonne’s new signing for next season.
Meanwhile, Courtney Lawes has been linked with a move to France, with Brive said to be his preferred designation. An extension at Northampton is still on the cards for the club legend, however.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed to see a player of Lewis’ ability and character move on,” Saints’ director of rugby, Phil Dowson, said.
“He’s the epitome of what we try to do with players at the Club. He came in as a youngster through the Academy system, got straight into work training with the first team, and has transitioned into a key player for us as well as being the captain of the Club – and he’s done an exceptional job leading the group, driving the energy and standards here.
“He’s also become an England international, representing Saints and his country extremely well on that stage. That’s exactly what we’re trying to do here; developing local lads to achieve great things in Northampton and beyond.
“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.”
