Wallaby flyer joins Saints but Brookes is moving on

NORTHAMPTON Saints have signed Wallaby flyer Taqele Naiyaravoro from the Waratahs.

The 26-year-old Fiji-born wing will join the Premiership side in time for the 2018-19 campaign.

“I can’t wait to arrive and try to develop further as a player,” Naiyaravoro said. “The club is heading in a really exciting direction, with the likes of Chris Boyd and Dan Biggar arriving next year, and I hope I can be a part of a push for more silverware at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Naiyaravoro, below, is Northampton’s first signing since they confirmed New Zealander Boyd as their director of rugby for next season.

Saints tighthead Kieran Brookes, 27, will leave the club in the summer, with Wasps understood to be leading the chase as Marty Moore is returning to Ireland.

Fly-half Danny Cipriani is also to leave Wasps at the end of the season with All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga coming on board.

The 30-year-old 14-times capped England stand-off will end his second spell with the Premiership club, having re-signed for Wasps from Sale in 2016.

“I’ll be sad to leave Wasps, but my job is far from finished. I can promise the fans my absolute all until the end of the season. I will now take some time to decide my next move,” said Cipriani.

Meanwhile, Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor, 26, has suffered a fresh injury setback just a week after returning from a ninemonth lay-off.

The former Sale forward made a triumphant return from knee surgery in the 50-28 Anglo Welsh Cup victory over Leicester a fortnight ago.

“It’s nothing too serious but he’s got an irritation of a disc in his neck which we’re going to inject,” said Young. “That’ll probably take two to three weeks to settle down.”