Archie McParland made his Saints debut as a 17-year-old (and 222 days) against London Irish in September 2022, becoming the youngest Saint of the professional era.

Born in Birkenhead, McParland originally shone as a fly-half when joining Saints aged 13 before being converted into a scrum-half in his Under-15s season with Saints’ Academy. His first international honours followed a few years later with England Under-18s.

McParland was part of the England Under-20s team, which won the 2024 World Rugby Championship and the Six Nations Championship that came before it. He spent time with England A in November 2024 before he was called into his first training camp with the senior squad in May 2026.

In the summer of 2024, having played nine times during Saints’ 2023/24 campaign that ended with them being crowned Gallagher PREM champions, McParland followed in the footsteps of the likes of Dan Biggar, Fin Smith and Alex Coles in winning the annual Blakiston Challenge in pre-season.

The 2025/26 season proved to be a breakthrough year for McParland as he made 25 appearances and showed a real eye for the try line, which he crossed 14 times, while his 50th appearance in Black, Green and Gold was a start in the PREM final triumph against Exeter Chiefs. His performances earned him both Saints’ Breakthrough Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards.