James Pater has been named DPD Player of the Month for September, after pipping his fellow nominees to take home the first award of the 2026/27 season after an impressive month in Black, Green and Gold.
Saints kicked off their new season in the PREM Rugby Cup – losing out to Saracens (96-42) in the opening round and then Harlequins (29-14) on the road in Round 2.
A first run out of the season at DPD Stadium saw Phil Dowson’s men take on Georgian side Black Lion in a friendly clash that ended 93-10 in Saints’ favour, before Northampton began their Gallagher PREM title-defence in earnest – scoring nine tries as they downed Newcastle Red Bulls 59-26 in Round 1.
And fullback Pater enjoyed an impressive first month of the term in Black, Green and Gold. The fullback made some 220 metres with the ball in hand, making 100 of those against Quins from just 15 carries that game – while also crossing the whitewash four times, including a memorable hat-trick against Newcastle in Round 1 of the PREM.
As such, the 19-year-old took home the lion’s share of the votes and finished ahead of this month’s other nominees: Cleopas Kundiona, Ed Prowse and Josh Taylor.
Through the new season, DPD will be offering one lucky supporter who votes for the winning player the chance to win a Saints shirt signed by the whole 26/27 squad – with this month’s winner, Norman Saldanha was chosen out of over 1,000 supporters who voted for the young fullback.