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Dan Biggar to leave Northampton Saints as salary cap pinches

Dan Biggar playing for Northampton Saints - Dan Biggar to leave Northampton Saints as salary cap pinches - GETTY IMAGES
Dan Biggar playing for Northampton Saints - Dan Biggar to leave Northampton Saints as salary cap pinches - GETTY IMAGES

Northampton Saints have confirmed that Dan Biggar will leave the club at the end of the current season, citing the reduced salary cap as a major reason for another international star leaving the Premiership.

Northampton, known to be interested in signing Fin Smith from Worcester Warriors, also highlighted the need for succession planning with Biggar turning 33 later this month.

Biggar, who has 103 caps for Wales and started all three Tests on last year’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, has been in the East Midlands since 2018. Saints have achieved two top-four finishes in that period and Phil Dowson, the club’s director of rugby, praised a player that “loves pressure” and “loves to compete”, and has been pivotal in helping younger teammates, such as current club captain Lewis Ludlam, mature.

With Courtney Lawes, thought to be a second marquee player alongside Biggar, also out of contract next year, and the salary cap not due to rise again until the 2024-25 campaign, Dowson laid out  the challenges of squad-building in the Premiership.

“It has been well documented that for this season and next, the salary cap for Premiership clubs is lower than it was previously,” he said.

“There is also a reduction in marquee players from two to one, which presents an additional challenge in building a balanced and competitive squad.

“We have to start putting a longer-term plan for the team in place, so these are all factors we have considered in making this decision.

Biggar (L) Lawes (R) - Dan Biggar will leave Northampton Saints as Premiership club feels the salary cap pinch - GETTY IMAGES
Biggar (L) Lawes (R) - Dan Biggar will leave Northampton Saints as Premiership club feels the salary cap pinch - GETTY IMAGES

“Dan is a good man and he won’t be short of offers for next season and beyond. We wish him, and his family, the very best for whichever opportunity he chooses to pursue.”

Biggar assumed the Wales captaincy during the 2022 Six Nations and for the subsequent tour of South Africa. He will have interested suitors around the world but is determined to end his time at Northampton as a Premiership champion.

“I wish I could have played more for the club,” said Biggar, who paid tribute to former director of rugby Chris Boyd.

“I missed a few matches over the last few years due to my international commitments, but there isn’t a better place to play rugby than Franklin’s Gardens in front of an incredible group of supporters.

“I have made new friendships that will last forever, and it has been a pleasure to watch the young crop of academy guys mature and develop into first-team senior pros.

“There are too many brilliant people here to mention, but I hope we can all finish the season in spectacular fashion as we did last year, and go a couple of steps further.”