Piers Francis, Northampton Saints' exciting new signing from Auckland's Blues Super Rugby franchise in New Zealand, is a rarity in that he has been capped by England before appearing in the Premiership.

The 27-year-old was a member of Saracens' academy in his teens, but at the age of 18 he moved to New Zealand and played for Auckland and Waikato, before returning to the UK in 2012 and signing for Edinburgh Rugby.

The fly-half or centre spent two seasons in Scotland and made three European Cup appearances for Edinburgh in 2012-13. However, a pre-season injury ruled him out of all the 2013-14 campaign and he was released that summer, eventually joining English Championship side Doncaster Knights for five months.

It was only when Francis went back to New Zealand, though, in 2015 that he started to catch the eye, first with Counties Manukau under Tana Umaga and then when he followed the New Zealand great to the Blues.

Breakthrough season

2016 was Francis' breakthrough season, as he was named Rookie of the Year, and he has continued to impress this year, so much so that when England head coach Eddie Jones was looking for new blood in the backs for the summer tour to Argentina, he selected Francis.

He responded with a fine display on his Test debut against the Pumas at San Juan and then marked his first start the following week at Sante Fe with a maiden touchdown that helped England towards a 2-0 series win.

Francis thus underlined why Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder had been so keen to sign him in March in preparation for the 2017-18 season, when Saints face ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys and Saracens in Pool 2 of the Champions Cup.

Mallinder said of his new signing: “Piers is a player who has been very impressive over the past couple of years. He is a very good playmaker who is comfortable with ball in hand, but who can also control a match with his kicking game too."