Carlos Spencer, the former All Blacks fly-half, has played his last game for Northampton after the Premiership club announced his departure by mutual agreement today. The 33-year-old had one year remaining on his existing Saints contract, having initially joined them in 2005 as Northampton's biggest signing of the professional era.
Spencer, who was not named in Saints' match-day 22 for the Premiership clash away to Harlequins tomorrow, may join Toulon, the French club currently under the control of his former All Black colleague Tana Umaga.
Spencer's first-team opportunities have been restricted to just eight starts out of a possible 21 this season, and only three since early October. The rugby league convert Stephen Myler is current first-choice fly-half, while former London Irish points machine Barry Everitt provides bench cover this weekend.
Spencer's last start for any Northampton side came in a friendly for their Wanderers XV against Henley Hawks on 19 January, when he kicked eight conversions during a 71-0 victory.
Northampton chief executive Allan Robson said: "Carlos's departure from the club has been a mutual decision which we have both seen as an opportunity. Carlos has been a central figure in the first team since his arrival at Franklin's Gardens, and has always been a crowd favourite.
"Since Jim Mallinder's arrival at the club at the beginning of last season, however, the squad has been rebuilt and reshaped. Together with Carlos, we have taken an objective view of the situation and agree that this is in the best interest of both the club and Carlos."
Spencer said: "I have enjoyed my time at Franklin's Gardens and will be especially sad to leave the supporters, who have been brilliant to me. I am still fit and strong and have certainly got a few good seasons in me yet, so this is a good opportunity for me to take up a new challenge."
On the field, Mallinder, the Saints director of rugby, hopes to see his team transfer their imperious home form into wins on the road. Northampton are unbeaten at Franklin's Gardens this season, including victories over European Challenge Cup opponents Montpellier and Toulon, but they have lost all six of their away league games.
"Our home form has been good this season, and now the target has to be to take that form away from home," Mallinder said. "There is no reason why we cannot go away and get a win in any game. We just have to concentrate on our performance for 80 minutes, and the results will come. Most importantly, we cannot afford to be complacent just because we have had a good January. The team will not be taking anything for granted this weekend."
