Northampton Saints reconvened at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Monday for the start of preseason ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
While a number of players remain away on international duty across the British & Irish Lions, England, Scotland, Italy, and Zimbabwe summer tours – as well as at the World Rugby Under-20s Championship – the remainder of the men in Black, Green and Gold’s squad for the upcoming season began training in Northampton.
Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, will lead a group of 56 players across the Gallagher Premiership, Investec Champions Cup, and Premiership Rugby Cup competitions next term.
A total of 15 new faces have joined the senior squad, including the likes of JJ van der Mescht, Danilo Fischetti, Callum Chick, Anthony Belleau, Cleopas Kundiona, Amena Caqusau and James Martin.
Saints’ coaching team also welcomes a new arrival, with incoming coach Jaco Pienaar joining Sam Vesty, Lee Radford, and James Craig within Dowson’s leadership group.
Eight players have been promoted from the Club’s Academy set-up, with 59% (33/56) of Northampton’s senior squad for 2025/26 being homegrown. Mark Hopley (Head of Academy) continues to lead the Senior Academy group of 15 players and is supported by Jake Sharp, Jim Henry, Charlie Reed, Max Dominy, and Reece Marshall.
“We’re delighted to get the squad confirmed for next season and it’s been really enjoyable getting a number of the players back in this week to start preseason training,” said Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
“All recruitment and retention windows are challenging, and this one was no exception – trying to get players over the line, looking at new talent and balancing the squad can feel like an endless task.
“But the result is a great mix of players; we have some operating at a really high level, some with experience who still have a lot of potential to improve, and a number of young Academy lads who are hungry and have shown they are talented and confident enough to make an impact for Saints.
“It’s been hard work, but overall I believe we’ve added real strength and depth throughout the squad, and we’re in a good place ahead of the new season.”
Northampton Saints Squad 2025/26
PROPS
Trevor Davison
Danilo Fischetti
Luke Green
Emmanuel Iyogun
Cleopas Kundiona
Elliot Millar Mills
Ollie Scola*
Sonny Tonga’uiha*
Tom West
HOOKERS
Curtis Langdon
Robbie Smith
Henry Walker
Craig Wright
LOCKS & LOOSE FORWARDS
Archie Appleby*
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave*
Emeka Atuanya
Archie Benson
Fyn Brown
Alex Coles
Callum Chick
Sam Graham
Josh Kemeny
Jack Lawrence*
Tom Lockett
JJ van der Mescht
Chunya Munga
Tom Pearson
Henry Pollock
Ed Prowse
Angus Scott-Young
Charlie Ulcoq*
Siep Walta*
SCRUM-HALVES
Tom James
Archie McParland
Alex Mitchell
Aiden Pugh*
Jonny Weimann*
FLY HALVES
Anthony Belleau
Fin Smith
CENTRES
Fraser Dingwall
Rory Hutchinson
Tom Litchfield
Henry Lumley*
Billy Pasco*
Freddie St John*
Toby Thame
BACK THREE
Amena Caqusau
Tommy Freeman
George Furbank
Will Glister*
George Hendy
James Martin
James Pater*
James Ramm
Thomas Rowe**
Ollie Sleightholme
Edoardo Todaro*
* Senior Academy 2025/26
** Triallist
