Shields joins Saints

Ulster's Paul Shields will move to Northampton Saints in the summer.

"It was an easy decision to make," said Shields, who has slipped own the pecking order with the emergence of Rory Best.

"Northampton has a lot of history and is one of the biggest clubs in England. I remember watching Buck Shelford and Martin Bayfield play for the Saints when I was growing up and the club has a high profile in Ireland".

Saints head coach Paul Grayson said: "Paul has a track record of quality, especially in his last few seasons as part of the successful squad at Ulster."