Northampton Saints will release four long-serving players from the first team at the end this season, led by Piers Francis.
The England center, 31 will leave Franklin’s Gardens with Taqele Naryaravoro (30), Api Ratuniyarawa (35), and Ahsee Tuala (32).
They have combined more than 400 appearances in the club’s history.
Phil Dowson, the new director of rugby said that “all four players have made huge contributions to our environment.”
Francis, originally from Edinburgh, joined the Northampton team in 2017. He was part of the Northampton team that reached the Premiership semi-finals and won the Premiership Rugby Cup 2018-19.
He was also part of England’s World Cup squad in Japan that year because of his club form.
He has suffered from injuries for the past two years, which led to him being forced to leave this summer.
He said, “This past year has been really difficult for me both mentally and physically with injuries.” in a statement. “But I’m leaving this club in a good position and looking forward to making a new start.”
Naiyaravoro, Australia’s wing, has scored 15 Premiership try in 50 games but is not playing this season due to a knee injury.
Samoa back-three Samoa player Tuala was a Saint from 2015 and amassed an impressive 145 points in his games. Ratuniyarawa lock has spent six years in England since he moved from Agen, France.