Done and dusted.

Northampton Saints have confirmed that they have indeed found Louis Picamoles’ replacement, but they are keeping their cards close to their chest.

According to Tom Vicker in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Jim Mallinder has confirmed that they have found a placement for the Frenchman, but he won’t be arriving until the New Year.

The player Saints have signed currently has club commitments elsewhere and will complete those before he switches to Franklin’s Gardens.Sam Dickinson has been drafted in on a short-term deal, having originally been released at the end of last season, and will cover until the new player arrives in January.

“Louis Picamoles had left the club so we needed a replacement,” Mallinder said.

“We have got a long-term replacement for Louis Picamoles, but he won’t be here until the new year.

“Sam was out of contract and he’s got some things going on after Christmas but he was available on a short-term deal and it was an obvious thing to do.

“He knows the club, he’s a great leader, he’ll be pushing for a first-team spot and he’s trained really well during pre-season.

“We’re delighted he’s joined us on that short-term deal.”