Northampton Saints have announced that assistant coach Matt Ferguson will leave the club when his contract ends after the current campaign.

Ferguson joined the club in 2018, with the bulk of his work focusing on Saints' scrum, and played a key role in the club winning their first Premiership title in a decade last season.

"His impact can't be underestimated, but we felt like now was the right time to make a change in this space," Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson told the club website., external

"This was not a decision taken lightly, but change is part of the positive evolution of any squad, and you always see flux within the playing group from season to season sometimes you need that within the coaching group as well."

Ferguson spent three years in charge of England Women's forwards, helping them reach the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup final, before beginning his spell at Franklin's Gardens.

"These seven seasons at Saints have been the best years of my life," Ferguson added.

"I've made some great memories here which will last a lifetime. I'll continue to give my all until I depart, and I wish the squad every success over the seasons ahead."