Allen, who skippered Blues after switching from Franklin's Gardens, said he was disappointed not to be offered another contract at the end of last season.

He is to take up a player/coach role at London One side Luton over this summer.

Allen said: "I was disappointed not to get a contract, but I understand the reasons why.

"I felt that, even if I wasn't going to be a first choice player any more and had to take a step back and become a squad player, people would still know they would have been able to rely on me when needed.

"The club have gone in a different direction in terms of their playing squad, but I certainly felt I could have played on and produced, even as a first choice player.

"But that's not the way it is and you just have to dust yourself off and get on with it.

"I thoroughly enjoyed 95 per cent of my time at the club, the majority of it was very enjoyable rugby with a great bunch of lads and I can only speak highly of the club."