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Stephen Myler the latest victim of Boyd's Saints clearout
Northampton Saints fly-half Stephen Myler has announced he’s leaving Franklin’s Gardens at the end of the season.
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His departure had been rumoured, with new Saints Director of Rugby Chris Boyd having Wales international Dan Biggar on his books next season.
Myler made his debut for Saints in 2006, having switched codes from rugby league to union earlier that year.
He then played a huge role in Saints’ return to the Aviva Premiership in the 2007/08 season, with Northampton recording a 100 per cent winning record in the RFU Championship.
He then kicked all the points as Saints beat Bourgoin to win the European Challenge Cup in 2009, before starring in a remarkable Heineken Cup run in 2011 that saw the club reach the final in Cardiff, where they lost to Leinster.
The Widnes-born No.10 was instrumental in Saints’ historic 2013/14 season, with Northampton completing a Premiership and Challenge Cup double. Myler was named man-of-the-match in both finals, and notched up the most individual points in a season in the club’s history.
Myler joined an exclusive group earlier this term as he pulled on a Saints jersey for the 300th time.
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? “I will leave with memories that will stay with me forever.
"I hope I’ve been able to repay the Club for the opportunity they gave me and I cannot express how much the support I've received from Saints supporters has meant to me."
Chapeau @StephenMyler ?? pic.twitter.com/Y6gULrDjyT
— Northampton Saints ? (@SaintsRugby) March 23, 2018
“I’ll be forever grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to make the switch from Rugby League early in my career,” the 33-year-old said.
“I’m extremely proud to have spent almost 12 seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, and I hope I’ve been able to repay the club for the opportunity they gave me and the faith they showed in me by playing as many games as I have.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to play alongside some great players, in some great teams, but more importantly I have met many great people in my time at Saints.”
“I cannot express how much the support I’ve received from Saints supporters has meant to me over the years – both on the pitch and off it, and notably during my testimonial season which they helped make so enjoyable for me.”
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Myler also achieved international honours during his time at the the Saints, getting selected in the 2009 England Saxons squad and playing in the Churchill Cup, before earning a full cap in 2013 during England’s summer tour of Argentina.
He also moved himself up to third on the Aviva Premiership’s all-time list of points scorers earlier this season, currently sitting on an astonishing 1,667, and boasts a record of 23 kicks from 23 attempts in finals for Saints.
Myler added: “I will leave with memories that will stay with me forever, having played and enjoyed success in many key games in the Club’s history.
“But the time has come for me to move on. I’m grateful for what has been, but I’m ready and looking forward to what my future holds.”
Keith Barwell, Northampton Saints’ Chairman for much of Myler’s time at the club, paid tribute:
“It’s difficult to single out individuals – as rugby is such a team game – but with ‘Smyler’ it’s easy to make an exception.”
“Stephen has been one of our best. He is a true club man. And, like every supporter, we will miss him and his style of play.”
“On behalf of the Barwell family, everyone at the club and all Saints supporters we wish him every success and happiness in his future.”
