Anglia Northampton Saints News

It has been confirmed that Northampton and England forward Dylan Hartley is to face a disciplinary hearing.

It comes after he was cited for striking Ulster forward Rory Best with his arm during a Heineken Cup Pool 4 match on Friday 7 December. The European Rugby Cup said that details of the hearing date will be announced shortly.

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• Dylan Hartley

Dylan Hartley criticised Northampton's performance as "not good enough" after the Saints' Heineken Cup ambitions were all but extinguished by rampant Ulster.

Ulster secured a 25-6 bonus victory at Franklin's Gardens to inflict back-to-back European defeats on the Saints.

That was not good enough from us. We speak about intensity, they brought bags of it and we didn't bring enough. They are unbeaten and they showed why. They are a good team but we made them look better than it could have been.

"We had internationals returning, injured players returning and our strongest team on the field but you can't just turn up and expect it to happen and I think that happened tonight. We got showed up by a good team.

"They did exactly what we would like to do to another team. They forced us into errors. It is not good enough."

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Northampton Saints's boss Jim Mallinder has called for a 'massive reaction' to his sides disappointing home defeat in the Heineken Cup against Ulster. The Saints lost 6-25 at Franklin Gardens. They must win the return fixture at Ravenhill or say goodbye to any hope in the competition.

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Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder today thanked Grayson for his dedication to the club.

“Grase has been a big part of the Saints for many years and has played an important role in our development. The records he set as a player will take something special to break, and as a coach he has helped bring on some very talented individuals.

"We will use this as an opportunity to freshen things up and move things forward. On behalf of the players and coaches I wish Grase and his family all the best for the future.”

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• Northampton Saints
• Paul Grayson

On leaving the Northampton Saints Paul Grayson said:

I enjoyed myself as a player here, and over the past few years it has been satisfying to have played a part in helping the Saints get back to the top of the club game. I am proud to have been a part of the history of one of the great clubs.

After 19 years at Franklin’s Gardens I need to prioritise my wife and children and make some sacrifices for them. As such I am happy to step away from my role with the club in good health and on the right path, and look forward to exploring the many opportunities that are out there in the world of rugby.

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• Paul Grayson

Paul Grayson is to leave Northampton Saints with immediate effect.

The former fly-half joined the side in 1993 and went on to become the club's all-time leading point scorer, notching 2,784 points from 259 games.

As a player he won the Heineken Cup, was a member of England's 2003 World Cup winning squad and was a member of the British Lions in 1997.

As a coach he took Saints to the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2007 and alongside Jim Malinder helped the club win the Amlin Challenge Cup, 2010 LV Cup.

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• Northampton Saints
• Paul Grayson

Northampton Saints have revealed that Paul Grayson will be leaving the Franklin's Gardens club after more than 19 years as player and coach.

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• Northampton Saints
• Paul Grayson

Northampton Saints flanker Tom Wood has been named in the England matchday squad for Saturday's test against Australia.

Wood's club colleagues Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley weren't selected for the Cook Cup encounter due to injury.

Full squad:

Forwards: D Cole (Leicester), T Johnson (Exeter), J Launchbury (Wasps), J Marler (Harlequins), T Palmer (Wasps), D Paice (London Irish), G Parling (Leicester), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), M Vunipola (Saracens), T Waldrom (Leicester), D Wilson (Bath), T Wood (Northampton), T Youngs (Leicester).

Backs: C Ashton (Saracens), B Barritt (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), O Farrell (Saracens), T Flood (Leicester, A Goode (Saracens), C Sharples (Gloucester), M Tuilagi (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester).

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• rugby union
• Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints' place at the top of rugby's Premiership could be threatened by one of their former high-profile stars tomorrow.

England winger Chris Ashton makes his first return to Franklin's Gardens as a Saracens player after his summer move.

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• Northampton Saints