Ashton's probable departure affecting Saints
Northampton wing Chris Ashton has reportedly informed Jim Mallinder he will be leaving this season, causing an apparent training ground bust-up.
According to BBC Look East, the England finisher told his director of rugby of his plans this week, with his expected new club being rivals Saracens.
The 24-year-old has scored 95 times for Saints during his 105 appearances but seems to have been lured by the prospect of the new venture.
Only last week in South Africa, Saracens technical director Brendan Venter had told South Africa's EWN Sport that a deal was close to being done.
"He is a talented individual which any team would love to have," he explained in Cape Town.
"I think there is a process in having a discussion and will probably be an announcement in the next few weeks."
In another twist to the story, it has been reported that there was a clash between Ashton and Mallinder at training on Wednesday and it is expected that the wing will not feature on Saturday in their final Pool game against Munster.
Should he sign in Watford, Ashton would be reunited with former Wigan team-mate, Joel Tomkins, along with rugby league great Andy Farrell who is part of their coaching team.
