Northampton Saints fullback James Pater has called on the Club’s supporters to pack out cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens when England kick-off their U20 Six Nations campaign on Friday 6 February (kick-off: 7.45pm).
The last time the two sides met in this competition in 2025, it was Wales who emerged victorious at a bustling Cardiff Arms Park. The hosts pulled off a final round 23-13 victory that denied England successive U20 Six Nations titles, as France pipped them into top spot.
Pater, 18, was not a part of that campaign but the shock defeat stood out from his Anglo-Welsh rugby memories heading into the rematch in Northampton, which he is in contention to be involved in – tickets are available priced from just £10 adult and £5 child by clicking HERE.
“That was a big game and I think Cardiff Arms Park was sold out, which helped Wales out and they rose to the occasion,” said Pater. “I hope we can do the same at cinch Stadium when they come to us this year and create a special atmosphere.
“There is no place like home. If I am selected, I am hoping to have friends and family there.
“I am so excited for the tournament. It is a global audience so there’s no better stage to present and prove yourself. With the opening game being at cinch Stadium it just gives me even more confidence to want to play as I am very familiar with the surroundings.”
Pater suffered a dislocated shoulder early into his England U17 journey but went on to debut in last year’s U18 Six Nations, and has since represented his country at U19 level too.
Between the 2025 and 2026 U20 Six Nations campaign, Pater has stepped up into senior rugby with Northampton Saints. Just three months after his 18th birthday he became Saint #2110 in the final Gallagher PREM 2024/25 regular season fixture against Gloucester.
Pater emerged from the bench in place of Rory Hutchinson with 20 minutes remaining at Kingsholm Stadium.
“It was quite a shock really,” Pater reflected. “I found out quite late in the week that I was even coming in to train with the first. I had been in to see training sessions and integrated through the Academy but never actually trained.
“I came in Thursday and was named on the bench and going down to Gloucester, we stayed the night before and me and Henry [Lumley] were speaking about it. This is pretty sick, not many people get to make their debuts at such a young age, we were very excited to get on and get going. I was lucky enough to get on and get a good 20 minutes, I think it was. I thought I played all right.
“I went back into school the next day during my A-levels, it was pretty cool. The coaches were super supportive and just encouraged me to be confident. With those messages in mind, I just went on and played and tried my best, did what I could and I thought I did well.”
Lumley, who became the youngest-ever Northampton Saints player to appear in the Gallagher PREM against Gloucester – was in the same U18 Academy side as Pater that delivered the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League title with a 31-14 victory over Bath, also at Kingsholm.
While he missed that match due to his U20 international commitments, Edoardo Todaro was a part of that year’s Academy cohort. The Italian back has burst onto the scene for Saints this season, scoring twice on his PREM debut against Exeter Chiefs and earned his first full senior cap for the Azzurri last Autumn.
While Pater himself has added four more senior appearances for the men in Black, Green and Gold this season and landed a first try in the home PREM Rugby Cup victory over Harlequins, the achievements of his former Academy colleague only serve as further motivation to kick on in 2026.
“I am good mates with Edo,” said Pater. “You just see him doing so well and you realise it is not a million miles away. It is definitely obtainable and it gives you motivation to go and achieve those goals.
“Playing in those PRC games gives you the confidence, in front of the crowds, against men, it is a different game, it gives you confidence that you are not too far off the level.”