Dowson 'over the moon' as Lockett decides to stay with Saints
Phil Dowson says Saints are 'over the moon' to have agreed a contract extension with Tom Lockett.
The 23-year-old lock put pen to paper on a new deal on Monday morning.
Initially part of Colchester United’s football academy, Lockett joined Saints’ Academy pathway as a 16-year-old and progressed through the age‑grade system before signing his first professional contract in 2021.
He made his senior debut later that year, becoming Saint #2043 in a PREM Rugby Cup clash against London Irish.
After a handful of appearances in 2022/23, he broke into the first team the following season, enjoying a seven-match run that included his Gallagher Premiership debut against Sale Sharks.
A standout moment came in Round 2 of the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup, when Lockett scored the match‑winning try against Toulon in only his second European top‑flight appearance.
Despite a pre-season pectoral injury, he returned strongly during the 2024/25 campaign, making 22 appearances and starting the Champions Cup final against Union Bordeaux Bègles.
Internationally, Lockett initially represented Wales at Under-18s level, before switching allegiance to England.
He featured prominently for England’s Under-20s side in the 2022 Six Nations and Summer Series, earning seven caps and scoring once.
In 2025 he was named player of the match in England A’s win over Ireland A, earned a senior camp call-up for the Red Rose, and returned for England’s A side again this past November against the All Blacks XV.
While an injury sustained in that clash has limited Lockett to just four appearances in a black, green and gold jersey so far this term, Saints boss Dowson is confident there is still much more to come from the young lock.
Dowson said: “We’re over the moon to keep a player of Tom’s calibre at Saints.
"He really came to the fore during our European campaign in 2023/24 with two outstanding performances against Glasgow and Toulon, and he’s built on that ever since.
"His consistency and impact have grown year on year.
“Physically, Tom has transformed himself. He’s added significant size and strength over the last few seasons, which is a huge part of his role, and that’s down to sheer hard work and professionalism. He’s incredibly diligent in how he prepares.
“He’s had some recognition at international level with England and England A now as well.
"His hunger to keep improving is obvious – Tom is meticulous in everything he does, and that mindset will take him a long way.
“He’s had some tough luck with injuries, but once he can put together a long run of games, I’ve no doubt he’ll kick on again.
“Tom’s also an excellent lineout caller, something he’s done throughout his career, and he’s getting more opportunities to lead that area for us in the PREM and in Europe. Under the tutelage of James Craig, he’ll only continue to develop that element of his game.”