Williams, Ripol and Simon Hepher join Saints.

By Newshound
June 7 2002

With the usual summer rumours flying around the message boards we can confirm some coming and goings in what the club describe as "the first stage of their recruitment programme." Aswell as the players joining the Saints we also say goodbye to familiar names, including Scotland winger Craig Moir.

The signing of Williams (31), capped 20 times by Wales and due to add to that over the summer, is no surprise as the news was leaked before the Powergen Cup final where Williams played for London Irish against his new club colleagues. He has been capped in the second and back rows and has received man of the match awards for Irish this season.

Simon Hepher left Northampton after the European Cup winning season to join French club Colomiers. After two seasons in France he is returning to Saints.

Oriol Ripol is a Spanish International who was the top scorer for Rotherham last season even though he joined them midway through the season. Ripol's nickname at Roth was ripper although the usual COYSDC suspects have already dubbed him Raspberry.

The list of leavers already contained Olivier Brouzet (Montferrand),Simon Webster (Edinburgh Rugby), Steve Brotherstone (Newcastle Falcons), Andy Rennick (Borders) and Tom Kirk (Bedford).

Now we can add to that list. Craig Moir has joined new Scottish super district, Borders. Also leaving to an as yet undisclosed destination is Italian winger Luca Martin.

We welcome the new players and wish all the departing players well for the future in their rugby careers.