Saints offered first refusal on Cruden
NORTHAMPTON Saints are weighing up entering the race to land All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden who is out of contract at the end of
next year. Cruden has been touted around for a move to the Premiership but only if somebody matches his sky high salary expectations which are understood to be £700,000 a season. The 27-year-old has fallen behind Beauden Barrett in the All Blacks pecking order and has been mentioned as a possible successor for Demetri Catrakilis at Montpellier.
As exclusively revealed in these pages, Catrakilis is joining Harlequins next season and incoming Montpellier boss Vern Cotter is seeking a replacement.
Cotter, the current Scotland coach, is keen to stick with what he knows and would like Cruden to steer the ship at the Altrad Stadium when his contract runs out.
Cruden, now on the road to recovery from a groin injury picked up playing for the All Blacks in September, is however believed to favour a move to the Premiership.
But his wage demands are putting off a number of clubs despite them being able to sign two marquee players outside the salary cap. A source has told me that Saints have been offered Cruden and they are currently weighing up their options for next season.
I know at least one other Premiership club have expressed an interest but it depends on what is happening with their current fly-halves, one of whom is still under contract for at least one more season.