Statement: England flanker confirms he's leaving Northampton Saints

The 28-year-old back row, who has been heavily linked with a move to Toulon, departs the club after eight seasons in Saints’ senior squad, in which he has notched up 121 appearances and 80 points for the men in Black, Green and Gold.

Ludlam is a product of Northampton’s Academy set-up, making his debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2016 against Newcastle Falcons, but the Club captain will head for pastures new in June at the end of his current contract with Saints.

“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.

“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.”

Exploring potential additions to the squad ahead of their clash with Wales next weekend, we pinpoint three players whom the England boss should consider calling up.

Coach Borthwick has disclosed that he and his coaching team have communicated specific areas of improvement to the Bristol Bears' tighthead prop for a potential squad return. However, speculation arises about whether there are additional factors contributing to his exclusion.

Adding to the intrigue, Sinckler is strongly linked to a move to the Top 14 for the 2024/25 season, posing as a possible explanation for his current omission. There are reports suggesting a recent journey to France, with indications of a medical examination at Toulon.

While the performances of Will Stuart and Dan Cole in Rome may not have been exceptional, the question lingers: on his best days, Sinckler remains the premier English tighthead. If England is serious about making a substantial impact in the 2024 Six Nations, Sinckler's prowess could be pivotal.

Currently rooted to the bottom of the table with 12 losses from 12 matches, Newcastle Falcons have literally only had Radwan's phenomenal try-scoring exploits to celebrate.

The two times-capped winger possesses electric footwork, lightening quick speed and exceptional finishing abilities. He deserved, at the very least, a space in the squad.

Sir Clive Woodward is a big fan of Radwan, and we can see why.

England risks squandering the talents of another standout player in Mercer. Despite not finding a spot in the current team, Mercer's noteworthy performances over the past years should warrant him at least a consideration to join the squad and showcase his abilities under Steve Borthwick's guidance.

The England head coach, who excluded Mercer from the Six Nations squad due to a perceived mismatch with his tactical approach, might benefit from setting aside personal preferences and taking a closer look at the accomplished Gloucester number 8.

Mercer, displaying a mature perspective, has decided to shift his focus away from international selection and concentrate on his contributions to Gloucester. Having previously represented England twice under Eddie Jones, Mercer found himself on the fringes of the Australian coach's squad before making a move to Montpellier in the French Top 14 in 2020, rendering him ineligible for selection.

Thriving in the French league, Mercer secured a league title in his debut year and achieved the prestigious title of Top 14 Player of the Year in 2022. Despite the current omission from the national team, Mercer's track record suggests that he could offer a valuable asset to the England setup if given the opportunity.