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Rugby Union

Cohen walks out on Saints

22/08/2007

Winger Ben Cohen has sensationally quit Northampton Saints after he was overlooked for the club captaincy.

The 28-year-old, who has been with the club since the age of 17, has skipped training for the whole of this week in protest at the appointment of Bruce Reihana as the new skipper.

Chairman Keith Barwell explained: "Ben came to see me and said he was unhappy about not being appointed captain. He said: 'That's it, I'm off'.

"I am bitterly disappointed both with Ben's decision and also with his action in staying away. He has been a brilliant servant to the club for more than 11 years but no man is bigger than the club."

Barwell also lent his support to the club's director of rugby Jim Mallinder, who selected Reihana to wear the armband.

Mallinder has hinted that Cohen could be frozen out of professional rugby union as a result of his decision to quit Saints.

"It is the director of rugby's responsibility to appoint the captain and I support Jim's choice of Bruce Reihana wholeheartedly – his decision must be final," Barwell added.

And Mallinder confirmed: "Ben's contract with the club runs until the end of the coming season and he is not able to play for any other club in the meantime."

Cohen has played 270 professional matches for Saints throughout his career, and has also won 56 England caps despite the fact he will not take part at this year's World Cup.

He was a member of the victorious World Cup side in 2003 but opted out of being considered for selection by head coach Brian Ashton after his last England appearance during the autumn internationals last year.

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