Saints’ North fine was a one-off, says Mallinder

Northampton were made to pay £60,000 by Premier Rugby after allowing North to play for his country against Australia on November 30.

That went against an agreement between the Premiership clubs, who decided no non-English player should be released outside of the international window.

Saints have taken their punishment, and Mallinder is pleased they can now move on from the unsavoury matter.

“That (the fine) is a one-off,” said the director of rugby after seeing North shine in Saturday’s 43-25 Premiership win against Bath. “It is a fine, we’ve accepted that, we’ve paid it but we know where we are for the next two and a half years of his contract.

“People can hopefully stop talking about it and we know exactly where we are.

“As a club we’ve got our fine and that’s it for his contract. I’m delighted.”