Anglia Northampton Saints News

Northampton Saints former club chairman Leon Barwell has lost his long fight against cancer.

Leon had been battling the disease for 18 months, but died today at the age of 46.

A life-long Saints supporter, he helped develop Franklin's Gardens and played an important role in the club's growth.

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New Northampton Saints signing Alex Corbisiero has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad.

Corbisiero had been on tour with England in Argentina, but will now fly to Australia to join up with the Lions as a replacement for the injured Cian Healy.

The 24-year-old prop has agreed to sign for Northampton ahead of next season, after leaving London Irish.

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Northampton Saints have been handed a tough looking draw in the group stages of next season's Heineken Cup.

The Saints will face Pro12 duo Ospreys and Leinster in Pool One.

Remarkably, Northampton will also have to face Castres once again, with Jim Mallinder's outfit being paired with the French champions for the fourth year in a row.

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Northampton Saints have announced the signing of Gareth Denman from Championship outfit Rotherham Titans.

The tight-head came through the ranks at Leeds Carnegie before moving to the Titans a year ago.

The 22-year-old played 18 times last season in his debut campaign at Clifton Lane.

He joins the likes of George North and Alex Corbisiero, who have also made the switch to Franklin's Gardens ahead of the new season.

Saints director or Rugby Jim Mallinder said:

"The Championship is one of the toughest leagues to play in if you're a front row forward, and Gareth will have learned a lot very quickly over the past couple of years.

"We believe that Gareth is ready to make the step up to Aviva Premiership level, and that he has the ability to be successful at Franklin's Gardens over the next few years."

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Northampton Saints have released centre Tom May, wing Scott Armstrong and back-rower Rhys Oakley.

May, 34, who has two England caps to his name, has been with Saints for two seasons since joining from Toulon, while Oakley, has agreed to take up a player-coach role with Plymouth.

Former Leeds wing Armstrong, moved to Franklin's Gardens in 2010, but leaves the beaten Premiership finalists after making just one appearance over the course of last season.

The trio are among nine summer departures. Moves for Paul Doran Jones (Harlequins), Ryan Lamb (Leicester), Brian Mujati (Racing Metro), Martin Roberts (Bath), Mark Sorenson (Bristol), Soane Tonga'uiha (Racing Metro) had already been confirmed.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder said:

"If a team is to succeed every player in the squad has to contribute.

"Everyone in the squad has done this during the season, whether playing for the first or second teams, in training or in analysis and team meetings.

"On behalf of the rest of the coaching team I'd like to thank the players who are leaving for what they've done in their time at the Saints and wish them the best for the future."

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Could Northampton Saints finally get their hands on this today? The Aviva Premiership trophy glinting in the sun at Twickenham ahead of the play-off final against Leicester.

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Northampton Saints are preparing for their showpiece Premiership Final at Twickenham on Saturday.

Northampton are up against their fierce rivals Leicester, featuring Norfolk brothers Ben and Tom Youngs.

Click below to watch a report by ITV News Anglia's Sport Correspondent Donovan Blake:

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Northampton's Saints prepare for this weekend's Twickenham final. Donovan Blake reports...

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