London Irish sign Tom Collins from Northampton Saints

London Irish have announced the signing of versatile back Tom Collins from Gallagher Premiership rivals Northampton Saints ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Collins has been with Northampton Saints since his professional rugby debut that came in 2010 and has racked up 144 appearances scoring 48 tries in it. He also was part of the Saints squad that was involved in 2018/19 Premiership Rugby Cup win.

He also had loan stints with Coventry, Moseley and Rotherham Titans.

The 28-year-old also was part of the England Under 20 side that went on to win Under-20 Six Nations title in 2013.

“I’ll always be grateful to Northampton, it’s the Club I have grown up supporting and was lucky enough to play for, but I felt my time was coming to an end and a new opportunity was on the horizon,” he told the club's official website.

“Irish reached out and I was really encouraged by the project the Club is working under with Declan [Kidney] and Les [Kiss], I feel like it will be a great fit for me.

“I’m proud to now call myself an Exile and can’t wait to link up with the boys at Hazelwood.”

London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney is pleased with the signing of Collins.

“I’d like to welcome Tom to London Irish, he has shown in his time with Northampton what a capable player he is and having him as our player now is a great privilege.

“We are really excited to be welcoming in a player of Tom’s calibre and we are all confident he will become a valuable member of our squad at Irish.”