Player Movements: Northampton Saints

Like other Premiership clubs, the Saints have been hard at work preparing their squad for the 2016/17 campaign.

After making 4 new signings so far this year, here are the new players that will tighten the Saints' set-up in the upcoming season:

Louis Picamoles (signed 2 November 2015 from Toulouse)

France no 8 began his club career at Montpellier in 1999 in the underage set-up and played for the club for ten years before a move to Toulouse in 2009.

At Toulouse, he made his name as a powerful back row operator, most notable for big runs off the back of the scrum. His pace and size make him a daunting prospect for opposing teams, with him regularly making clean line breaks.

Picamoles signed with Northampton on a three-year contract.

Campese Ma'afu (signed 26 February 2016 from Provence)

The front row made his debut for Fiji back in 2010 and played in all four of Fiji's games at the 2015 World Cup.

Ma'afu's signing at the club means he will play alongside his brother, Salesi.

Charlie Clare (signed 31 March 2016 from Bedford Blues)

The 24-year-old hooker made the move to the Saints from Bedford, where he has impressed in the Blues’ rise to the Championship’s top four.

Before his time at Goldington Road, Clare learned his trade at Leicester.

Nic Groom (signed 2 May 2016 from Stormers)

Groom has spent his entire professional career at Newlands, having come through the Western Province Rugby Institute.

A double-Currie Cup winner, his impressive displays in 2015 also earned him a call-up into the Barbarians squad that faced Samoa in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup.

He has earned over 50 Super Rugby caps.

Players who left Northampton Saints this year:

Alex Corbisiero (sabbatical)

Matt Williams (to Worcester Warriors)

Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (to London Irish)

Patrick Howard (to Newport Gwent Dragons)

Kahn Fotuali'i (to Bath Rugby)

Jon Fisher (to Bristol Rugby)