Ollie Sleightholme and Connor Tupai pen new deals with Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints have confirmed that winger Ollie Sleightholme and scrum-half Connor Tupai have penned new deals with the Gallagher Premiership club.

Both the players were products of Northampton Academy and made their senior debuts in 2018.

Sleightholme, who had represented England Under 18 and Under 20 teams in the past featured first for Northampton in a Premiership Rugby Cup match against Bristol Bears in October 2018 before making his Premiership debut three weeks later. He has made 17 first-team appearances scoring 10 tries in it.

“I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this squad. We have a really diverse back three and the competition to play is really high – as a young player, you want to be able to prove yourself amongst the most talented guys," he told the official website of the club.

“This group got a taste of winning silverware again last season and now we’re pushing on for more of the same. It’s such a special feeling to know the Town is behind us every time we run out at Franklin’s Gardens, so we want to deliver for them week in, week out.”

Meanwhile, Tupai made his debut for Northampton in Premiership Rugby Cup and has captained them in the Premiership Rugby Sevens Series last year.

“Obviously I’m thrilled to be staying with Saints and to be given the opportunity to continue to develop myself as a player,” said Tupai.

“The culture within the squad is incredible, the coaches have a brilliant track record of bringing through young players, and the Club means an awful lot to my family and I – so it was an easy decision to sign on again, as Saints ticks every box for me.”