Saints linked with move for former England fly-half Goode

Goode, who turns 33 in April, will not be offered a new deal at Sixways when his current contract runs out this summer.

That decision was cemented by yesterday’s announcement that the Warriors had completed the signing of Exeter No.10 Ignacio Mieres.

Argentine ace Mieres will join Paul Warwick in Worcester’s fly-half department ahead of next season, leaving Goode out in the cold.

But there is no shortage of interest in the former Leicester man, with Northampton among those to throw their hat in the ring.

Goode is second only to Saracens’ Charlie Hodgson in the Premiership’s all-time leading scorers list, with 1,771 points, and has 17 England Test caps to his name, but has not played international rugby since the summer of 2009.

But should he move to Franklin’s Gardens, it is unlikely to be at the expense of Stephen Myler, who Saints boss Jim Mallinder wants to keep at the club when the player’s contract expires this summer.

Myler is now third in Northampton’s all-time points scorers list behind Roger Hosen and Paul Grayson.

And when asked about the former rugby league man’s future, Mallinder replied: “Stephen’s been playing well. He’s played in some big games for us.

“There’s still more we can get out of Stephen, I think he can play even better, but he’s a good player and someone we’re looking to keep for the next couple of years.”

Myler is set to be one of a number of re-signings to be announced in the near future, and Mallinder said: “The squad’s coming together nicely, we’re quite happy.

“I think you’ll see over the next week or so some other re-signings, which we’re pleased about, and the squad is taking good shape for next year.”

But the future of fly-half Ryan Lamb remains unclear.

“We’re looking at all our players,” said Mallinder, when quizzed about the former Gloucester and London Irish No.10. “Nothing’s for certain.

“We’ve got to decide who we want to stay and a lot of that will depend on performances. We’ve got a lot of games to go and a lot of time to go.

“There’s quite a few places which have still not been decided, and time will tell.”