Jim Mallinder

Jim Mallinder is an inductee of the Saints Hall of Fame

Jim Mallinder

Role: Director of Rugby
Saints Tenure: 2007-2017

Honours as Director of Rugby

Championship Winners (2007/08)
European Challenge Cup Winners (2008/09)
Anglo-Welsh Cup Winners (2009/10)
Premiership Champions (2013/14)
European Challenge Cup Winners (2013/14)

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2025

Jim Mallinder

Jim Mallinder oversaw a sustained period of success for Northampton Saints, rebuilding the Club following relegation and ultimately delivering its first Premiership title.

A former England international and long-serving player and coach at Sale Sharks, Mallinder arrived at Franklin’s Gardens in June 2007 after Saints had been relegated from the Premiership.

His impact was immediate. Northampton secured promotion at the first attempt with an unbeaten Championship campaign before rapidly re-establishing themselves among England’s leading clubs.

Mallinder assembled one of the strongest squads in club history, recruiting players such as Ben Foden, Christian Day, Roger Wilson and Neil Best. Within two seasons Saints had won the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup while regularly competing at the top of the Premiership.

The club reached the Heineken Cup Final in 2011 after becoming the first side to navigate the pool stages unbeaten and reach the final. Although defeated by Leinster, Northampton had firmly re-established themselves among Europe’s elite.

His greatest achievement came in 2013/14, when Saints completed a historic Premiership and European Challenge Cup double. The dramatic Premiership Final success over Saracens remains one of the defining moments in the Club’s history.

Mallinder left Northampton in 2017 after a decade in charge. His Hall of Fame induction in 2025 recognised the coach who delivered unprecedented success and helped shape the modern identity of Northampton Saints.

Hall of Fame profiles have been researched and compiled, with the Club’s grateful thanks, by the volunteers of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Heritage Department – whose work helps preserve and share the rich history of Northampton Saints.