Bio

Northampton Saints completed the signing of scrum-half Callum Braley ahead of the 2022/23 season, with the Italian international arriving at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens from Benetton Rugby.

Braley was born in Bristol but qualified for the Azzurri through his grandfather; he retired from international duty in 2022 with 15 caps to his name between 2019 and 2022 – his final Test saw the Azzurri record an historic Six Nations victory in Wales.

After coming through the Academy at his hometown club, Bristol Bears, Braley made a West Country switch to Gloucester Rugby in 2014 and notched up over a century of appearances for the Cherry & Whites.

His form at Kingsholm saw him selected for Italy ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup – Braley made his full international debut in a warm-up match against Ireland before featuring twice at the tournament in Japan against Canada and South Africa.

A move over to Italy with United Rugby Championship side Benetton Rugby beckoned in 2020, and there Braley was part of the side which claimed a surprise victory over the Bulls in the 2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup final – an historic first success in an international competition for any Italian club.

The No.9 was also an England age-group international from Under-16 level upwards, and skippered the successful defence of England Under-20s’ Junior World Championship back in 2014.