Mallinder admits Doran-Jones comments ‘didn’t read well’ for Saints

English champions Quins announced the signing of the Saints prop on Tuesday, with Doran-Jones saying he was joining ‘the best club in the Premiership’.

He also commented that his new side ‘play with smiles on their faces’, but did express his desire to bring silverware to Northampton before he leaves this summer.

And though Mallinder feels some of the comments may have been taken out of context, he feels outgoing players must be careful with what they say to the media.

“You’ve always got to be careful what gets said in the press,” said the Saints boss.

“Sometimes what you actually say is not what’s actually quoted, and sometimes they do pick things out.

“But I can certainly confirm that it didn’t read well from a Saints point of view.”

“He’s made a decision, he’s still part of our squad for the remainder of the year and I’m sure he’ll be doing his utmost to help Northampton Saints win some trophies.”

Doran-Jones joined Saints from Gloucester in the summer of 2011, but has been unable to force his way past first-choice tighthead prop Brian Mujati in the pecking order.

He will now move on in search of first-team rugby and Mallinder was philosophical about the situation.

He said: “Paul’s come here, he’s been someone who’s travelled to quite a few clubs and he’s not managed to settle down.

“I know he’s got his family in London.

“We’re naturally disappointed that he wants to leave but you only want players here who want to play for your club.

“If he doesn’t want to play for us, that’s fine. We’ll get players here who want to play and we’ll develop and make into better players.”

Doran-Jones won’t be in action for Saints in their LV= Cup clash with Exeter on Saturday evening as he has been named in the England Saxons team to take on Scotland A at Newcastle tomorrow night.