Augustus to leave Northampton at end of season

Northampton Saints number eight Juarno Augustus will leave the Premiership champions at the end of the current season.

The 26-year-old South African has scored 15 tries in 65 appearances for Saints, and was in the starting XV when they beat Bath in the Premiership final in June.

He joined the club in 2021, having previously played for Stormers and Western Province in his homeland.

"Saints will always have a very special place in my heart, and while next summer is the right time for me to move on, I will give absolutely everything I can to the team for the rest of the season to try to finish my time here with more success and silverware," Augustus said.

Saints have lost a number of forwards since their title win, with Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Alex Moon and Sama Matavesi all moving on and Alex and Ethan Waller retiring.

On Augustus' decision, director of rugby Phil Dowson said: "Clearly we’re disappointed to see a player of Juarno’s quality choose to move on from Saints.

"Juarno’s made a big contribution to the team’s success in his time here, our supporters love watching him play as he’s provided them with plenty of memorable moments, and we will wish him well after the end of this season."

Saints returns to league action on Saturday following the autumn internationals with a home game against Gloucester.