'In a really good place' - Saints confirm squad for 2026/27 season

The black, green and gold head into the new campaign looking to build on another memorable year after lifting a third Gallagher PREM title last season, securing a second league crown in three years under boss Phil Dowson.

The majority of the Saints squad reconvened at Franklin’s Gardens at the end of July to begin preparations for the season ahead, while a number of international players have been on leave following summer duty with England, Scotland, Italy and Zimbabwe.

But those players have now rejoined the group ahead of the trip to Sri Lanka, where Saints take on the Asia Pacific Lions on Friday, August 28.

Dowson’s men face a first competitive fixture of the season in the PREM Rugby Cup at Saracens on Saturday, September 5 (kick-off: 3pm).

Saints’ senior squad will be captained by Fraser Dingwall, with a total of 15 new players joining ahead of the new campaign, including Italy internationals Malik Faissal and Ion Neculai, along with former CHAMP standouts Josh Taylor and Lefty Zigiriadis.

There is also a new addition to Saints’ coaching team, with Jim Henry promoted into the senior set-up to join Dowson’s leadership group alongside Sam Vesty, James Craig and Jaco Pienaar.

Eight players have stepped up from the club’s Academy programme to the senior squad, meaning 61 per cent (35 of 57) of the playing group for 2026/27 is homegrown.

The Senior Academy group of 18 players will continue to be led by head of Academy Mark Hopley – supported by Jake Sharp, Charlie Reed, Max Dominy, Reece Marshall and Charles Rylands.

“We’re delighted to be back at Franklin’s Gardens and working together again as a group,” Dowson said.

“It’s been great to reconnect after the summer and start building towards the new season.

“Naturally, it’s always difficult to say goodbye to players at the end of last season, but we’re really excited about the group we’ve assembled and the opportunities ahead.

“The squad have been back in training for a few weeks now, and I’ve been really encouraged by what I’ve seen.

"The new signings have settled in well and the young players stepping up from the Academy have made a strong impression.

“One of the things Mark Hopley and the Academy staff do exceptionally well is prepare players for that transition into the senior environment. They rarely feel like new additions, which is a real credit to everyone involved in the pathway.

“We’ve also welcomed Malik Faissal for his first days with the group, while familiar faces like Mitch (Alex Mitchell) and Manny (Iyogun) have returned, so the squad is beginning to come together nicely.

“The effort, attitude and commitment shown by the players throughout pre-season so far has been outstanding, and we feel we’re in a really good place as we look ahead to the challenges of the new season.”

Saints squad for the 2026/27 season

Props: Noah Buxton*, Trevor Davison, Jordan Els**, Danilo Fischetti, Luke Green, Emmanuel Iyogun, Cleopas Kundiona, Ion Neculai, Aiden Reid*, Oliver Scola* Sonny Tonga’uiha*, Leftheri Zigiriadis.

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

Locks and loose forwards: Aiden Ainsworth-Cave*, James Bennett, Archie Benson, Callum Chick, Alex Coles, Josh Kemeny, Jack Lewis*, Tom Lockett, Alex Mead*, Chunya Munga, Tom Pearson, Henry Pollock, Ed Prowse, Josh Taylor, George Tonga’uiha*, Charlie Ulcoq*, JJ Van Der Mescht.

Scrum-halves: Sonny Goode*, Archie McParland, Alex Mitchell, Aidan Pugh*, Jonny Weimann*.

Fly-halves: Anthony Belleau, Hugh Shields*, Fin Smith.

Centres: Fraser Dingwall,Rory Hutchinson, Tom Litchfield, Henry Lumley*, Freddie St John*, Toby Thame.

Back three: Amena Caqusau, Malik Faissal, Tommy Freeman, George Hendy, James Martin, James Pater*, Thomas Rowe*, Ollie Sleightholme, Charlie Tamani*, Edoardo Todaro.

*Senior Academy 2026/27

**Short-term contract