Doncaster Knights scrum-half Tom James to join Northampton ahead of 2020/21 season

Northampton Saints have confirmed the signing of scrum-half Tom James from Championship side Doncaster Knights ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The 26-year-old played for Knights and Bedford Blues in the Championship apart from representing Loughborough Students in National One. He also was the top try-scorer for Doncaster in the 2018/19 season and was part of English Students in 2016.

“The decision to take this opportunity with Northampton Saints and join a Club at the very top level was a no-brainer for me,” he told the official website of the club.

“There’s a great set-up Franklin’s Gardens; the training facilities are excellent and the stadium is one of the best in the country.

“But most importantly, Saints are a Club with huge ambition and a really impressive group of coaches, so I am confident it is the best place for me to improve as a rugby player.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Chris Boyd, Sam Vesty and the entire group having seen so many young players break through over the last 18 months.”

Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd is looking forward to see James perform for the club next season,

“Tom has done really well over at Doncaster. He was spotted by some of our coaches working in that space, and also played alongside our academy coach Jake Sharp at Bedford – it was clear to us that he had really good core skills, works hard and comes from a good background.

“He just needs an opportunity to flourish and we think he’ll really compliment the guys we’ve already got for next year in Alex Mitchell, Henry Taylor and Connor Tupai. They’ve got their subtle differences but they are all young, high potential, and English, which fits our model perfectly.”