Nick Beal

Saints Number: #1644
Saints Career: 1991-2004
Appearances: 268
Position: Fullback

Career Statistics

Tries: 74
Conversions: 21
Penalties: 21
Drop Goals: 3
Total Points: 482

Representative Honours

England (15 caps)
British & Irish Lions (1997 South Africa)

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2018

Nick Beal

Nick Beal was one of the most exciting attacking players of Northampton Saints’ professional era, combining pace, vision and a powerful kicking game across 13 seasons at Franklin’s Gardens.

Having attended school in High Wycombe alongside future Saints teammate Matt Dawson, Beal joined Northampton in 1991 and went on to make 268 appearances. Equally capable of launching attacks from deep or joining the backline at pace, he scored 74 tries and accumulated 482 points, placing him among the most productive backs of his generation.

During his time at Saints, Beal captained the side that won the Middlesex Sevens and featured in three major domestic cup finals. Although injury denied him the opportunity to play in Northampton’s historic Heineken Cup triumph in 2000, he remained a key member of a team that helped establish the Club among Europe’s elite.

Beal enjoyed success on the international stage as well. In 1993 he joined Saints teammates Tim Rodber and Matt Dawson in the England Sevens squad that won the Rugby World Cup Sevens. Three years later he made his England XV debut and went on to win 15 caps between 1996 and 1999.

Selection for the victorious 1997 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa represented another career highlight. Beal scored three tries against the Junior Springboks and another against Mpumalanga, although he was unable to force his way into the Test side, where Neil Jenkins excelled at fullback.

Following retirement, Beal remains closely involved with Northampton Saints as a non-executive director, helping guide the Club through a new era. His Hall of Fame induction in 2018 recognised both his achievements on the field and his continued contribution off it.

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.