Scrumhalf Nic Groom will be leaving English club Northampton Saints with immediate effect to join the Lions.

Northampton confirmed the news on Tuesday, with the 28-year-old having made 51 appearances for the club since his arrival from the Stormers in 2016.

‘I have loved the opportunity to come over to the UK and play for such a great club,’ Groom commented.

‘But the time has come for me to return to South Africa. An opportunity has come up to return home, and I am grateful to the club for allowing me to head back early to try and make my mark.’

The statement from Northampton suggested that Groom would be ‘immediately available for selection in Super Rugby’. The Lions are currently without first-choice scrumhalf Ross Cronjé, who has been battling with a rib injury.

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