Northampton Saints' lock, Temo Mayanavanua, has announced his departure from the club at the season's end, marking the conclusion of a notable chapter in his rugby career. The 27-year-old Fijian international is set to return home to play in Fiji, bringing an end to nearly eight years of club rugby abroad.

Mayanavanua joined the Saints following the 2023 Rugby World Cup and quickly became a pivotal figure in the team. His debut in December against Saracens was just the beginning of what would be a fruitful tenure with the club. This season alone, he has made 16 appearances, including a memorable try in the 38-8 Champions Cup group-stage victory over Castres.

Reflecting on his time at Northampton, Mayanavanua shared: "I felt a really good buzz from the first day. Everyone made me feel like it was home and that it was a special group." He added, "Going onto win the Premiership last season speaks volumes about that, and now progressing to the Investec Champions Cup Final echoes that too."

The decision to leave was not made lightly. Mayanavanua expressed mixed emotions: "It has been a really tough decision to make, we have really loved our time here in Northampton. The supporters, especially, have made us feel so welcome and that has made it so hard to choose whether to go home or stay."

Phil Dowson, Northampton Saints' Director of Rugby, praised Mayanavanua’s significant contributions, both on and off the field. "Temo has been a father figure to what is a young squad. He has looked after them and led in his own way," Dowson remarked. He also highlighted Mayanavanua’s skills and game insight, which will be sorely missed.

As the season progresses, Mayanavanua remains crucial to the Saints' campaign, having recently played a pivotal role in their 37-34 victory over Leinster, securing their spot in the Champions Cup Final. The Saints now face league games against Exeter Chiefs and Saracens before taking on Bordeaux in the final on 24 May.