Lewis Ludlam to leave Northampton Saints at the end of the 2023-24 season - 'Extremely tough decision for me'

Former England International Lewis Ludlam has announced he is leaving his long-time club Northampton Saints at the end of the 2023/24 season. The 28-year-old, who has been with the Saints since 2016, is set to head across the channel to France, joining the likes of Owen Farrell in leaving the Gallagher Premiership. A move to the Top 14 would make him ineligible for England selection going forward.

Lewis Ludlam has announced he will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Ludlam has been an integral part of Northampton Saints’ line up for eight years, but the Englishman will new seek a "new adventure", with Toulon rumoured to be interested in the 28-year-old flanker.

Northampton released a statement confirming Ludlam’s departure once the season concludes.

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They wrote that Ludlam “has opted to pursue a move away from the Club” before thanking him for his service. Having come through the Academy, Ludlam has made 121 appearances for the Saints thus far - along with 25 England appearances.

Having last played for England in the World Cup third-place play off against Argentina last autumn, Ludlam wasn’t selected for the current Six Nations squad as coach Steve Borthwick starts to rebuild ahead of another World Cup cycle.

A move to France and the Top 14 would make Ludlam ineligible for England selection going forward, as per the RFU’s own regulations. These rules also mean former England captain Owen Farrell isn’t eligible for selection after he revealed a move to Racing 92 at the end of the season.

Given Ludlam is just 28-years-old with captaincy experience having skippered Northampton for the past few seasons, the news could impact Borthwick and his ability to build strength in depth across his squad.

Lewis Ludlam of Northampton Saints takes on Cadan Murley (L) and Dillon Lewis during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Harlequins at the cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on November 24, 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

“Ever since I started playing rugby as an eight-year-old, I dreamt of being a Saint,” Ludlam said on X.

“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 with trophies in hand.”

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