Northampton releases players

The departures of Bruce Reihana (235 appearances; Bordeaux Begles), Mark Easter (120 appearances; Sale Sharks), Joe Ansbro (70 appearances; London Irish), Shane Geraghty (55 appearances; Brive) and Dan Sanderson (1 appearance; Moseley) are already in the public domain.

Other players who will also be leaving are Regardt Dreyer (20 appearances) and Matt Cornwell (2 appearances).

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder today thanked all of the players who are leaving for their efforts in the black, green and gold, and wished them the best for the future.

“Some of the players who are leaving have been here for a short period, others for much longer,” he said. “Regardless, they have all contributed to the team’s development over the past few seasons.

“A squad is not just about the 23 players who represent the club on match day. It is about what happens during the week away from public view, and the positive atmosphere that we have had at Franklin’s Gardens is in no small part down to the contributions that every player makes in the changing room and on the training field.

“On behalf of all the coaches I would like to thank every player who is leaving for their contributions during their time at the club, and wish them all the best for the future.”


From the Northampton website - http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/7641.php

Thoughts on this and would you want any of these guys joining your club?

I would take Joe Ansbro. Munster need centres. Geraghty is also a good player to have in a squad.

Ansbro could be a very good signing for us. Be interesting to see how him and Hape go as pairing in the midfield next season. My one concern is a lack of creative spark, although they are both solid players who will draw defenders and hopefully create space for our back three to capitalise on.

Geraghty is going to Brive on a one year deal. Bruce Reihana to Bordeaux- bit of good living in France for him before retirement!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13523149.stm