Northampton Saints confirm 56-Man squad for 2025/26 season

Northampton Saints have officially confirmed their playing squad for the 2025/26 season, with preparations underway at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Preseason training began this week under the guidance of Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, who will oversee a squad of 56 players across three major competitions: the Gallagher Premiership, Investec Champions Cup, and Premiership Rugby Cup.

Despite several players still on international duty with the British & Irish Lions, England, Scotland, Italy, Zimbabwe, and the World Rugby Under-20s Championship, the remaining squad members have already begun preparations for the upcoming season.

The Saints have welcomed 15 new signings to the senior squad, including standout names such as South African lock JJ van der Mescht, Italian prop Danilo Fischetti, former Newcastle back row Callum Chick, French international fly-half Anthony Belleau, and Zimbabwean prop Cleopas Kundiona. Also joining are Amena Caqusau and James Martin, both expected to boost the squad's attacking options.

Eight players have been promoted from the club’s academy setup, bringing the total number of homegrown players in the senior squad to 33, which makes up 59% of the team. The academy continues to be led by Mark Hopley, with support from Jake Sharp, Jim Henry, Charlie Reed, Max Dominy, and Reece Marshall.

In the coaching department, Jaco Pienaar joins the existing team of Sam Vesty, Lee Radford, and James Craig, contributing to a stable leadership group aimed at driving performance across all levels.

Commenting on the finalised squad, Phil Dowson said, “It’s been really enjoyable getting a number of the players back this week. Recruitment and retention are always challenging, but we’ve managed to build a strong and balanced group.

"From seasoned professionals to academy prospects, we’ve got a good mix that we believe can perform across all competitions.”

Northampton Saints squad:

Props: Trevor Davison, Danilo Fischetti, Luke Green, Emmanuel Iyogun, Cleopas Kundiona, Elliot Millar Mills, Ollie Scola (Senior Academy), Sonny Tonga’uiha (Senior Academy), Tom West.

Hookers: Curtis Langdon, Robbie Smith, Henry Walker, Craig Wright.

Locks and loose forwards: Archie Appleby (Senior Academy), Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Senior Academy), Emeka Atuanya, Archie Benson, Fyn Brown, Alex Coles, Callum Chick Sam Graham, Josh Kemeny, Jack Lawrence (Senior Academy), Tom Lockett, JJ van der Mescht, Chunya Munga, Tom Pearson, Henry Pollock, Ed Prowse, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Ulcoq (Senior Academy), Siep Walta (Senior Academy).

Scrum-halves: Tom James, Archie McParland, Alex Mitchell, Aiden Pugh (Senior Academy), Jonny Weimann (Senior Academy).

Fly-halves: Anthony Belleau, Fin Smith

Centres: Fraser Dingwall, Rory Hutchinson, Tom Litchfield, Henry Lumley (Senior Academy), Billy Pasco (Senior Academy), Freddie St John (Senior Academy), Toby Thame.

Back three: Amena Caqusau, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Glister (Senior Academy), George Hendy, James Martin, James Pater (Senior Academy), James Ramm, Thomas Rowe (trialist), Ollie Sleightholme, Edoardo Todaro (Senior Academy).