Tom Lockett has penned a contract extension to remain at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Saints can today announce.
The 23-year-old is just one appearance away from bringing up a half-century in Black, Green and Gold, and has become a vital member of Northampton’s engine room over the last few seasons since graduating from the Club’s Academy set-up in 2021.
Lockett’s rise from a Saints Under-18 prospect to England A international has been rapid, and the 6’ 7” lock was also recently called up to the full England squad during the Autumn Nations Series in November.
“Staying at Saints was an easy decision for me,” he said. “This Club is where I grew up playing my rugby; it’s where my mates are, and it’s where we’re building something genuinely exciting.
“We’ve got real depth in the second row. Training alongside players like Alex Coles, Ed Prowse, Chunya Munga and JJ van der Mescht pushes all of us to raise our level. Each of us brings something different, and that competition has been massive for my development.
“A huge influence has also been James Craig. He’s coached me from my first days in the Academy through to the senior environment, and having someone who knows my game so well – and challenges me constantly – has played a huge part in where I’ve got to.
“Long term, I want to establish myself in the international picture. I’ve had a taste with England A and in senior camps, and being surrounded here by players operating at that level helps drive me forward.
“Representing this town and this Club means a lot to me, and running out at cinch Stadium as someone who’s come through the system will never get old. When the town gets behind you it really is something special, so there’s nowhere else I’d rather be playing my rugby.”
Initially part of Colchester United’s football academy, Lockett joined Saints’ Academy pathway as a 16-year-old and progressed through the age‑grade system before signing his first professional contract in 2021.
He made his senior debut later that year, becoming Saint #2043 in a PREM Rugby Cup clash against London Irish. After a handful of appearances in 2022/23, he broke into the first team the following season, enjoying a seven-match run that included his Gallagher Premiership debut against Sale Sharks.
A standout moment came in Round 2 of the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup, when Lockett scored the match‑winning try against Toulon in only his second European top‑flight appearance.
Despite a preseason pectoral injury, he returned strongly during the 2024/25 campaign, making 22 appearances and starting the Champions Cup Final against Union Bordeaux Bègles.
Internationally, Lockett initially represented Wales at Under-18s level, before switching allegiance to England. He featured prominently for England’s Under-20s side in the 2022 Six Nations and Summer Series, earning seven caps and scoring once.
In 2025 he was named Player-of-the-Match in England A’s win over Ireland A, earned a senior camp call-up for the Red Rose, and returned for England’s A side again this past November against the All Blacks XV.
While an injury sustained in that clash has limited Lockett to just four appearances in a Black, Green and Gold jersey so far this term, Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is confident there is still much more to come from the young lock.
He said: “We’re over the moon to keep a player of Tom’s calibre at Saints. He really came to the fore during our European campaign in 2023/24 with two outstanding performances against Glasgow and Toulon, and he’s built on that ever since. His consistency and impact have grown year on year.
“Physically, Tom has transformed himself. He’s added significant size and strength over the last few seasons, which is a huge part of his role, and that’s down to sheer hard work and professionalism. He’s incredibly diligent in how he prepares.
“He’s had some tough luck with injuries, but once he can put together a long run of games, I’ve no doubt he’ll kick on again.
“Tom’s also an excellent lineout caller, something he’s done throughout his career, and he’s getting more opportunities to lead that area for us in the PREM and in Europe. Under the tutelage of James Craig, he’ll only continue to develop that element of his game.”