Cohen seeking reassurance

Northampton and England wing Ben Cohen is arranging a meeting with club officials in order to discuss his future at Franklin's Gardens.

Cohen had been told by ex-coach Alan Solomons that his contract would not be renewed after it expires next summer, but now Solomons has departed, Cohen wants to know if the situation has changed.

"I still don't know for sure what the situation is and I need to find out," he told the Daily Express.

The rumour mills have been turning and turning with the speculation about which club Cohen is likely to join, but the World Cup winner insists he is still loyal to the Saints.

"I would stay at Northampton if the club wanted me," he said. 

"Until last week, when Alan was sacked, I felt that the club didn't want me and it had got to the point where I needed to safeguard my employment.

"There has been a big change at the club with Budge Pountney and Paul Grayson, who are Northampton through and through, being brought in," he added. 

Cohen lost his place in the England team to Mark Cueto after a very poor patch of form for both himself and his country, for which he has criticised Solomons for the high number of changes in the playing personnel.

"Alan wanted me and 14 others out, which was ludicrous really," he said.

"I can't understand why clubs risk losing people who are valuable to them.

"Now that he has gone, I need to have it established soon whether or not they want me to stay.

"If am not going to be employed by Northampton I have to look elsewhere."