Saints Number: #1658
Saints Career: 1993-2005
Appearances: 259
Position: Fly-half

Career Statistics

Tries: 29
Conversions: 419
Penalties: 577
Drop Goals: 24
Total Points: 2,786

Representative Honours

England (32 caps)
British & Irish Lions (1997 South Africa)

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2017

Paul Grayson

Paul Grayson remains Northampton Saints’ all-time leading points scorer and one of the most influential figures in the Club’s rise to prominence during the professional era.

Before arriving at Franklin’s Gardens, Grayson first came to national attention while playing for Waterloo. In November 1992, he masterminded one of the greatest upsets in English rugby when his three penalties secured a famous 9-8 Pilkington Cup victory over the all-conquering Bath side. The performance helped put him firmly on the radar of top clubs and ultimately led him to Northampton.

Grayson joined Saints in 1993 and quickly became central to the Club’s ambitions. Although Northampton suffered relegation in 1995, he played a pivotal role in the immediate revival that followed, helping the Club dominate Division Two and re-establish itself in the Premiership. His consistency from the kicking tee and ability to control matches made him indispensable.

His defining season came in 1999/2000. Grayson’s late penalties against Wasps and Llanelli Scarlets propelled Saints into the Heineken Cup Final, and in the final itself he scored all nine points in the famous 9-8 victory over Munster. Without his contributions throughout the knockout stages, Northampton's greatest triumph may never have happened.

International recognition followed his Club success. Grayson won 32 England caps, scoring exactly 400 points and representing his country at both the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups. He was also selected for the 1997 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, although injury curtailed his involvement before he could challenge for a Test place.

Grayson retired in 2005 with 2,786 points for Saints, a Club record that still stands. He immediately moved into coaching, serving first as Head Coach before later becoming part of Jim Mallinder’s coaching team that helped deliver promotion, the 2009 European Challenge Cup, the 2010 Anglo-Welsh Cup and a place in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final.

After 19 years of service in playing and coaching roles, Grayson left Northampton in 2012. His place among the Club’s greatest ever players was formally recognised with induction into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

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.