PREM Rugby have confirmed the fixture schedule for the 2025/26 U18 Academy League, with Northampton Saints kicking off their campaign at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens against Exeter Chiefs.
Head coach Charlie Reed led Northampton to the league 24/25 title in February, beating Bath 31-14 at Kingsholm Stadium after the boys in Black, Green and Gold reached their fourth consecutive final.
In a newly structured PREM Rugby U18 Academy League, Saints start the competition in August and will play every round as double header clashes with Saints’ Under-17s side.
The league begins with a clash against Exeter Chiefs on Friday 15 August on Pitch 2 at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens (kick-off: 1:30pm), followed with an encounter against Gloucester Rugby the next week on Thursday 21 August at Hartpury College (kick-off: 1pm) before one final home game in 2025 awaits in Round 3 when Sale Sharks come to town.
The league picks up again in January with back-to-back away trips first up for Saints, to Leicester Tigers on the weekend of 3 January before a trip to Newcastle the following weekend and Saints’ final clash in January sees them take on Saracens at Shelford Rugby Club.
Saints face Harlequins at home in the first weekend of February, before a re-match of last season’s final awaits in Round 8 when Bath Rugby make the trip to Northampton. The boys in Black, Green and Gold play their final home match in Round 9, welcoming Bristol Bears on the weekend of 14 February.
The season will be then rounded off on Academy Finals Day on 21/22 February 2026 and for Saints’ Under-18s head coach Charlie Reed this season it’s all about the opportunity for the players to represent Northampton Saints.
Reed said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for these young lads and it’s something that they all want to achieve. That starts from how well they perform at their schools and their clubs.
“The league is massive for development; allowing players to know what pressure feels like and allow them to perform.”
Charlie Reed, Saints’ U18s Head Coach
“We’re not a coaching group that applies pressure through demanding results. Our aim is to try to get the best out of the individual both on and off the pitch. It’s about learning as you go and improving in each training session and game.
“Last season, winning the Academy League was a great ride and a really good journey with all those boys. But what got us over the line was a great sense of cohesion that we had built within the squad.
“We’re excited to get going with this new season. There’s a new structure this year which provides a great opportunity for lots of players to pull on a shirt.
“For the first couple of games we’ll be without our England players and a few others will be on school tours, so that will be a chance for a lot of players to step up and further their development within the squad.”
Northampton Saints U18s 2025/26 Fixtures
- Round 1: Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs – Friday 15 August (kick-off 1:30pm) – Pitch 2, cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens
- Round 2: Gloucester Rugby vs Northampton Saints – Thursday 21 August (kick-off 1pm) – Hartpury College
- Round 3: Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks, Saturday 25 October (kick-off: TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 4: Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints, 2/3/4 January 2026 (kick-off TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 5: Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Saints, 10/11 January 2026 (kick-off TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 6: Saracens vs Northampton Saints, 24/25 January 2026 (kick-off TBC) – Shelford Rugby Club
- Round 7: Harlequins vs Northampton Saints, weekend 1 February (kick-off TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 8: Northampton Saints vs Bath Rugby, 7/8 February (kick-off TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 9: Northampton Saints vs Bristol Bears, 14/15 February (kick-off TBC) – venue TBC
- Academy Finals Day: 21/22 February (kick-off TBC) – venue TBC
