The 32-year-old's future has looked to be elsewhere for some time as he has started just three of the last 16 games.

With speculation growing as to what was happening with Robinson, and after clinching the National League One title and promotion back to the Premiership on Saturday, Saints have decided to announce last season's player of the year will be leaving in the summer.

Mallinder has already signed highly-rated scrum-half Ben Foden, and the director of rugby hinted there could be more on the way to compete for the number nine shirt.

Mallinder said: "We have signed some exciting English qualified players at scrum-half for next season with a view to the longer term, and competition for the starter's jersey will be fierce."

The future of Johnny Howard and Ian Vass is still unclear, with both the scrum-halves out of contract at the end of the season, but Howard has been a regular starter.

Robinson is sure to have had offers from a host of Premiership clubs and France not just since January, when clubs were allowed to talk to division one players, but at the end of last season as well.

Wasps looks the most likely destination for the former All Black, who has growing business interests to look after as well.

The news of Robinson leaving, known as Sharky, will be a huge blow to fans who voted him player of the year 12 months ago.

Saints fans once again gave Robinson a huge cheer when he came on for Howard in the second half of the 18-8 win over Exeter, as they have done for the last month.

Mallinder, though, is keen to move on and keep his squad focused on the rest of the season.

"The whole squad remains very determined to try to go through to the end of the season undefeated," said Mallinder.

"However, now that promotion has been secured myself and the coaching team inevitably have to start to plan and prioritise for a hard season in the Premiership next year
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"We have already announced a significant number of new recruits for next season and have confirmed some important contract extensions.

"Over the next few weeks we will, of course, be finalising the few remaining squad changes and talking to other players who are currently out of contract at the end of the season."