Former Saints star Fotuali'i calls time on his career

Fotuali'i played a huge part in Saints' sensational double-winning season of 2013/14, having joined the club from Ospreys in the summer prior to that memorable campaign.

The Samoan international spent three seasons at Saints before switching to Bath in the summer of 2016.

He eventually moved to Montpellier last year, but the Top 14 season was halted after 17 rounds of action due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fotuali’i returned home to New Zealand to join his family when the fixtures were suspended at the beginning of March.

And with the remainder of the Top 14 campaign now officially cancelled, the 37-year-old announced on Saturday that he would be hanging up his boots.

“I regret that this season is over and having to end my career, but given what is happening around the world, it is better for me to stay with my family in New Zealand,” Fotuali'i said.

“Montpellier is a beautiful city and its supporters have been great.

"I wish you good luck for the future."

After his final game for Saints, which came at Gloucester on May 7, 2016, Bath-bound Fotuali'i had said: "I tried not to think about it being my final game here.

“My partner asked me why I was grumpy all week and whether it was because it was my final game for Saints, but I couldn’t really put a finger on it.

“I’ve just been grumpy all week for no reason, but I guess it was a bit emotional now I’ve had a beer with the boys in the changing room.

“It’s a bit emotional, but exciting for my family moving forward.”