TRANSFER NEWS | Northampton saints confirm four departures

Friday, 05 June 2020 at 18:16

bySteven Smith

Northampton Saints have announced that front rowers Michael Van Vuuren and Toby Trinder will be leaving the Club at the conclusion of their contracts on June 30.

Van Vuuren, 28, initially made the switch to Franklin’s Gardens from Gallagher Premiership rivals Bath Rugby in the summer of 2019.

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Wishing these lads the best as they move onto pastures new 🙏🏼 @TobyTrinder, @michaelvvuuren, @1_willd, @GGreid87

2:00 PM · Jun 5, 2020

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The South African-born hooker made nine appearances in Black, Green and Gold this term, and will now ply his trade in the Championship having signed on for a stint with Ealing Trailfinders.

Meanwhile 22-year-old loosehead Trinder came through Northampton’s Academy system and represented England Under-20s in 2018, before going on to make two first-team appearances for Saints.

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Gordon Reid will also depart Northampton on June 30 having signed as injury cover earlier this season from Glasgow Warriors and Ayrshire Bulls, while another loosehead in Will Davis moves on from Saints following the conclusion of his contract.

Davis has played on loan at Ealing Trailfinders since October having initially joined from the west London club at the end of the 2017/18 season, and made seven first-team appearances in Black, Green and Gold.

LIST | 5 hilarious Jason Leonard stories

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England legend Jason Leonard has told many great stories down the years.

Here are some of our favourites.

1. 'I didn't do it'

Just before we headed out to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, all the players agreed on a booze ban when coach Jack Rowell discovered that someone had come in at 2am. He accused me at training the next day and I flatly denied it. As I told Martin Bayfield standing next to me: "It couldn't have been me Bayf - I didn't get in until 4am." Poor Bayf just burst out laughing.

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2. Origins of Fun Bus

Coming back from injury, Leonard was called up for an England tour to South Africa 1993 despite putting on a bit of weight. We had these big cotton shirts, which were bright red and looked skin tight on me. Martin Bayfield, because of my London accent and the red shirt, thought I looked like a big red bus, hense 'fun bus'.

3. Argentina tour

Extract from Jason Leonard's autobiogaphy.

4. His funniest stories

In this video, he picks a couple involving Australasia's Prime Minister and the late, great Nelson Mandela.

Jason Leonard's funniest moments in Rugby from Rugby Business Network on Vimeo.

5. 28 pints

Prop Jason Leonard noted that he had 28 pints of lager and when the astounded, part-time nutritionist asked just exactly he was up to each week to consume 28 pints, he was met with a confused look. "That's 28 pints on the Saturday and eight to settle the head on Sunday," Leonard replied.

Jason Leonard’s Drinking XV | Legend picks his top boozers

England legend Jason Leonard has picked his drinking XV of players from down the years that he'd want with him for long sessions and it's brilliant.

Although he did make sure to pick a designated driver, which we say is VERY sensible.

Gavin Hastings (Full-back, Scotland)

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Rory Underwood (Wing and designated driver, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)

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Scott Gibbs (Centre, Wales)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)

Paul Rendall (Prop, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)

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Jeff Probyn (Prop, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)