Analysis by BBC Radio Northampton’s Graham McKechnie:
“Sam Matavesi has been a hugely popular and important player for Saints in his five seasons at the club.
“It’s probably fair to say he exceeded most expectations.
“He joined the club in 2019 from Cornish Pirates and although he had played in the World Cup and had enjoyed a loan spell at Toulouse, not a great deal was known about him.
“But he had established himself as Saints’ first-choice hooker in his second season as a skilful ball-carrier – a position he kept until the arrival of Curtis Langdon.
“Although it’s a blow to Saints to lose him, at 32 it’s a good move for Matavesi and his family. And the club will be confident they already have the cover in place without their ebullient Cornish-Fijian.”
