Bio

Northampton Saints announced second row James Craig confirmed his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the 2018/19 season to pursue a career in coaching.

The towering lock made 73 appearances to date in the Black, Green and Gold jersey since arriving at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens from Leeds Carnegie in 2011.

After an impressive first season in the East Midlands saw him reach the 2012 Anglo-Welsh Cup final with Saints, injuries curtailed his progress over the next two campaigns, but he did collect two winners’ medals in 2014 for playing a role in Northampton’s European Challenge Cup and Premiership successes.

However, playing regular rugby over the next two seasons, Craig helped Saints top the Premiership table at the end of the regular season in 2015 and earned an international call-up for England Saxons’ 2016 tour of South Africa.

Craig assisted with the training of Northampton’s Academy sides over the last four seasons of his playing career, and moved into coaching on a full-time basis following his retirement. 

In January 2022, Saints announced that the former lock would transition from the Club’s Academy programme into a new first-team coaching position from the 2022/23 season, initially focused on looking after Saints’ line-out.