Lions candidate Euan Murray is out of contract at the end of the season

Northampton boss Jim Mallinder has admitted he will need to recruit new prop forwards ahead of next season.

He hopes to agree a new contract with Scotland international Euan Murray, but stalwarts Tom Smith and Barry Stewart must be replaced before long.

"It's a specialist area and a difficult position to play in," said Mallinder, ahead of Saturday's Guinness Premiership visit to Worcester.

"Tom and Barry have done us proud but they're not the long-term future."

"There are a few good up-and-coming props in England. We need to move on and think about filling that gap," he added.

Saints will try again at Sixways to notch a first league victory of the season away from home, after suffering eight straight defeats on their travels.

They lost their unbeaten record at Franklin's Gardens last weekend, going down 19-13 to Newcastle Falcons.

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