Gibson says goodbye to life at Saints

The flanker has departed the club ahead of the new season.

Gibson initially left at the end of June as his contract expired.

But he made a rapid return to Franklin's Gardens as injury cover for Tom Wood, who was ruled out with a pulmonary embolism.

However, with the 2019/20 season now at an end, Gibson's short-term deal has reached its conclusion.

And the 30-year-old, who made 128 appearances for Saints after joining the club from Leicester Tigers in 2015, took to Twitter to say goodbye.

Gibson wrote: "Taking a moment tonight to say an official farewell after five great years playing at the Gardens in front of my family and an amazing crowd.

"A huge thank you to everyone who made it such a special place for myself, my wife and our two boys.

"It’s been an honour @SaintsRugby."

Chris Boyd spoke to this publication about Gibson last month.

Boyd said: "He's finished with us for now.

"He's got a couple of options on the table.

"I had a long chat with Jamie and he would rather be here, but he's a victim of the impact of Covid.

"When this all came in we had our squad pretty well contracted bar about five or six people and it became very clear that we couldn't hang on to all of those.

"When you put them into baskets of 'must have' and 'nice to have' and looked at the positions and the strength you already had, unfortunately for Jamie, he should still be here playing with us but under the current financial environment and rugby-wise, there's no room for him.

"I wish him well."