England Saxons prop Tom Mercey will leave Saracens at the end of the season and join rivals Northampton Saints.

The 22-year-old has struggled to feature regularly for the Men in Black this season and has decided to move up the M1 and play for Guinness Premiership challengers Northampton.

Mercey made his debut for Sarries in 2006 against Biarritz after signing from Dulwich School.

Sarries' director of rugby Brendan Venter said: "Tom is a fine young player and we will be sorry to see him go. Northampton is a fine club, and we wish him every success."

Mercey told the Saints website: "I've enjoyed my five years at Saracens and learned a lot, but Northampton is a great club that is going in the right direction and they're a team that plays a great style of rugby. They've got a great fan base, and coming from a London club it'll be good to come to a rugby town."