 Tonga'uiha initially agreed to sign for Saracens from Saints in January |
Northampton prop Soane Tonga'uiha will stay at Franklin's Gardens next season after the club reached an "amicable" agreement with rivals Saracens. A row developed after the Tonga forward signed an agreement to join Sarries in January before changing his mind and deciding to stay with Saints. Premier Rugby called a meeting to resolve the dispute but have announced that will not now take place. Both clubs have agreed they will make no further comment about the issue. Tonga'uiha has blossomed into one of the most effective players in the Guinness Premiership since moving to Franklin's Gardens from Bedford in 2006. He has made more than 100 appearances for Saints and scored 55 points, including three tries this season. Saracens had felt aggrieved over Tonga'uiha's U-turn and had sought to persuade the 28-year-old to honour his agreement with them. "He has a legally binding contract," Sarries coach Brendan Venter said after their 29-28 loss to Gloucester on 3 April. "Three months ago, he was unbelievably keen to come to us and saying how much better we were than Northampton.  | 606: DEBATE |
"If you have got a contract, then you have a contract - it's as simple as that. We start on 5 July and I expect him to be there." Sarries chief executive Edward Griffiths claimed Tonga'uiha's deal with Northampton was illegal and took his club's case to the Premiership's governing body, who asked for reports from both clubs. But Tonga'uiha had made it clear that he wanted to remain at Northampton. "I'm very happy to sign again with Saints," said Tonga'uiha. "It has been my decision and my decision alone to stay. "We're very settled in the area as a family, which means a lot to me as well."
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