Northampton Saints hooker Tom Cruse to join coaching panel of Bedford Blues

Northampton Saints hooker Tom Cruse will be joining the coaching group of Championship side Bedford Blues ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Cruse announced in April that he will be retiring from his playing career at the end of the ongoing campaign.

The 35-year-old already had a brief coaching experience in 2022 when Wasps entered into administration as he was the forwards coach of Chinnor under Nick Easter to help them gain a promotion to the Championship next season.

He has featured for Sale Sharks, Rotherham Titans, London Irish, Wasps and Edinburgh before joining Saints in 2022.

“Bedford are a big, traditional club and I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity," he told Northampton's official website.

“It’s one I feel very privileged about, there’s a few familiar faces at the club – one of those being Michael Le Bourgeois from my time at Wasps.

“It’s a really exciting challenge for me as I begin my coaching career, in a league that’s highly competitive.”

Tom Cruse
“I’m a massive advocate of the Championship, it’s a great place to help talent grow, and I’m eager to put my stamp on things to aid that.”