Ryan Lamb became a fixture of the Gloucester first team after making his debut in 2005, his imaginative play with ball in hand earning him praise and eventually a place in the England Saxons squad.

As Gloucester faltered during the 2008-09 season, Lamb's game-management came increasingly under scrutiny and he was dropped from the side by then head coach Dean Ryan.

After the arrival of former All Black pivot Carlos Spencer at Kingsholm, Lamb accepted a contract with Guinness Premiership rivals London Irish at the end of the season. There he linked up with attack coach and former England midfield regular Mike Catt, replacing the Northampton-bound Shane Geraghty.

Still just 25, Ryan joined London Irish at the start of the 2009/10 campaign and during his time with the Exiles, passed a landmark 500 Premiership points.

And ahead of the 2011-12 season, Lamb opted to move to Franklin's Gardens to Northampton Saints. Sharing the fly half duties with Stephen Myler, Lamb has settled into the Saints style of play well and impressed suitably in wins over Exeter and Saracens.