Northampton Saints and England Under-20s fullback James Pater has penned a new contract to remain in Black, Green and Gold beyond the current campaign, the Club can today announce.
The 19-year-old – who has also featured on the wing and at fly-half for Saints this season – made his senior debut in May 2025, appearing in the Club’s final Gallagher PREM match of the 2024/25 season while still a student at Leys School.
Pater has since graduated from Saints’ Academy into the senior squad, and has gone on to make a further seven appearances across all competitions during his first term of professional rugby, scoring 32 points in the process.
“Being a local lad and coming through the Academy here has been an amazing experience, so I’m really happy to be staying on at Saints,” said Pater.
“The coaches have invested in me from an early stage and shown a lot of faith in me as a young player, which has been massive. Saints is the right place for me to develop, particularly because of the opportunities the Club gives to younger players.
“The chances I’ve already had this season have been incredible, and being trusted to put my name forward for more big games – even at my age – is something I couldn’t turn down.
“The squad here is hugely talented. This year I’ve been able to learn from the likes of George Furbank and George Hendy, who have followed the same Academy-to-first-team pathway, which is massive for my development. Watching that journey and seeing what’s possible really motivates me, it’s a well-trodden path here at Saints.
“I’ve also learned a lot from players who’ve come in from different backgrounds, like Anthony Belleau and Fin Smith. Understanding how they see the game and move the ball has helped me shape my own approach.
“I want to keep contributing, keep pushing for more minutes across the PREM and beyond, and hopefully that leads to international recognition beyond England Under-20s in the future. It’s every player’s dream to play for their country at senior level, and hopefully one day I can do that.”
Originally coming through the ranks at Shelford RFC, Pater joined Saints’ Developing Player Programme at Under-16 level – before announcing himself on the national stage at the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s for Leys School, where he finished as the tournament’s leading try-scorer.
His continued progression through Saints’ pathway saw Pater help the Club lift the Academy League title in 2025, while also becoming a regular feature for England Under-18s.
Pater became Saint #2110 at just 18 years old when he came off the bench in Saints’ final outing of the 2024/25 season away at Gloucester Rugby. A maiden senior try followed earlier this season in the PREM Rugby Cup against Harlequins, before he landed his first points from the tee in the same competition against Leicester Tigers.
The young back made his first senior start at fly-half in the return Cup fixture against Tigers at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, scoring one of Saints’ six tries on the day and converting five of them. His composure from the tee was again on display shortly afterwards, as Pater kicked a late match-winning conversion in Northampton’s victory over Saracens.
On the international stage, Pater has represented England Under-20s this season, including featuring at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens as England defeated Wales 19-16 – when another decisive kick from the boot of the Saints fullback proved the difference.
Back in Club action, Pater made his first start in the Gallagher PREM when Saints hosted Newcastle Red Bulls in March, and Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is excited to see what lies ahead for the talented teenager.
He said: “We’re delighted to keep James with us at Saints. He’s incredibly fast and dynamic, and the way he’s stepped up to play fly-half in the PREM Rugby Cup during his first year as a full-time member of the senior squad has really shown what a talented footballer he is.
“James always looks like he has time on the ball. He reads space exceptionally well, he’s strong under the high ball, his passing is top quality, he’s not afraid to carry the ball into contact or take defenders on, and he finds gaps you don’t think are there.
“He’s a great example of someone who has come through our Academy system. Mark Hopley spotted his potential early on and identified him as a player who could really kick on, and we’ve been delighted with the progress he’s made over the past year.
“His performances for England Under-20s have been exceptional, winning man-of-the-match awards and consistently making line breaks. Just as impressive, though, is his demeanour. He’s calm, unfazed, and remarkably composed for someone so young.
“His communication and leadership within the group have stood out from the very start of preseason. For a first-year professional, that’s gold – and his ceiling is incredibly high.”