James Bennett, Thomas Rowe and Ben Alexander have all signed full-time contracts with Northampton Saints ahead of the 2026/27 season, following successful trial periods at the Club.
Lock Bennett and winger Rowe spent the majority of the 2025/26 campaign within Saints’ set-up, combining their studies at Loughborough University with regular training involvement alongside the men in Black, Green and Gold.
Meanwhile, Alexander initially linked up with Northampton during the second block of PREM Rugby Cup fixtures, stepping into the fold when the Club faced a shortage of hookers during the Six Nations period.
All three players made their first-team debuts last term, featuring in Saints’ PREM Cup campaign, and contributed to the squad’s wider preparations as Northampton went on to lift a second Gallagher PREM title in three seasons.
“With players out on loan across National One, National Two, and the CHAMP, we watch a lot of rugby outside of the Gallagher PREM,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
“Our coaching group – particularly Jim Henry, who has been working with Bedford Blues alongside Saints this season – has a strong understanding of the talent that’s out there.
“James, Tom and Ben have all spent time in our environment this season, coming in whenever their university commitments allowed. That’s given them a really valuable opportunity to continue their studies alongside experiencing what it takes to be part of a professional set-up.
“They’ve trained with us, worked in the gym, sat in meetings and already started to understand how we operate as a Club. While these are new contracts for next season, they’ll arrive for pre-season with a solid grasp of what’s expected and how we want to play.”
JAMES BENNETT (Lock)
4 Apps | Saint #2123
Previously part of Saints’ Academy, Bennett was rediscovered by the Club while studying at Loughborough University – where he represented both their BUCS Super Rugby and National Two sides.
The lock (who featured for Saints’ Under-18s in 2022) pulled on the Black, Green and Gold jersey once again in November, coming off the bench against Harlequins in the PREM Rugby Cup to make his senior debut at Franklin’s Gardens.
The 22-year-old earned his first start the following weekend and went on to make two further appearances during the Cup campaign, which saw Northampton reach the quarter-finals.
Dowson said: “James came through our Academy and has been playing at Loughborough University, where several of our players have been involved through the Club’s link with Loughborough Lightning.
“He’s been playing really well and has shown a strong physical edge. He joined us during our PREM Rugby Cup preparation and impressed, so it’s great to have him back in our environment.
“He’s a big lad, but also very conscientious and professional in how he goes about things. He wants to carry, he’s keen to learn, and he’s really taken his opportunity whenever he’s been involved so far.”
THOMAS ROWE (Winger)
1 app | Saint #2121
Also studying at Loughborough University, Rowe joined Saints as a trialist at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, quickly impressing with his pace and athleticism to earn an extended stay alongside his studies.
The winger made his sole appearance to date against Harlequins in November in the PREM Rugby Cup, and wasted little time making an impact in Black, Green and Gold – finishing off Anthony Belleau’s break to score just two minutes into his Saints debut.
“Tom Rowe is another player at Loughborough University who we initially brought in towards the end of the 2024/25 season,” said Dowson.
“We gave him an opportunity to come into the environment and see what he was about, and he’s been in and around the group ever since.
“He’s incredibly quick and a very good athlete, with strong skills to match, and he’s also come across as a great lad. It will be exciting to see how he develops when he joins us full-time.”
BEN ALEXANDER (Hooker)
1 app | Saint #2123
A former back row forward, Alexander joins Northampton as a hooker for the upcoming season after impressing Saints’ coaches during a short-term spell in the PREM Rugby Cup.
The former Old Albanian made his debut in Black, Green and Gold in February, becoming Saint #2123 as he featured in a 40-21 victory at Harlequins’ Twickenham Stoop.
Since then, Alexander has remained closely connected to the environment at Franklin’s Gardens and now joins Saints’ group of hookers ahead of the new campaign.
Dowson said: “We came across Ben playing at Old Albanians under Dan George, a former teammate of mine, and Josh Skelcey, who was in the Saints Academy system.
“We brought him into the environment and were impressed with his attitude straight away. He’s a remarkable athlete – an ex-back rower with a really strong skillset. He’s tough, good over the ball, and brings plenty of physicality.
“Now transitioning to hooker, there’s still lots for him to learn, but he’s already picked up a huge amount working with Jim Henry – particularly around his set-piece. Bringing Ben into the full-time environment feels like a very positive step.”