Noah Buxton, Sonny Goode, Jack Lewis, Alex Mead, Aiden Reid, Hugh Shields, Charlie Tamani and George Tonga’uiha will all join up with the men in black, green and gold in the summer after signing their first professional contracts.
All eight have played a role in Saints’ Under-18 PREM Next Gen Academy League clashes this season, with back row forward Lewis also going on to make his senior Saints debut in February against Harlequins in the PREM Rugby Cup.
On the international stage, Goode, Lewis, Reid and Shields have all represented England at Under-18s level, with Tamani and Tonga’uiha having both featured for England Under-19s too.
“What the senior coaches are getting with this group of lads is a mixture of great personalities and a variety of talent across the board,” said Academy head coach Charlie Reed.
“As an Academy, that’s what we want to keep producing: players that are authentic in their own way, but also people that are willing to compete and work hard.
"They’re a good bunch and tight knit as a set of lads.
“A lot of these players have been out through our Academy League fixtures through injury, but each of them, from a character point of view, has the potential to step up into a professional set-up.
“That’ll be the biggest challenge for them coming into the senior environment, making sure that they drive their own development to realise that potential and get to grips with a professional set-up.
"I’ve no doubt that these lads will cope with that challenge and I’m excited to see what they can achieve.”
5. GEORGE TONGA’UIHA (SECOND ROW)
Tonga’uiha is a name that Saints supporters are already familiar with, and now George becomes the latest with that surname to join the club – following in the footsteps of his father and Saints legend, Soane, and his older brother and current Saint, Sonny. The NSB schoolboy has been a part of the Saints Academy set-up since the age of 14, and has enjoyed international recognition already – having been involved in multiple England age-grade camps, most recently facing France with the Under-19s. Reed said: “George is obviously Sonny’s younger brother, as a part of that Tonga’uiha dynasty and has got physical potential as well as some good skills on the ball. He’s had a few setbacks through his schoolboy career but we’re looking forward to seeing how he kicks on as a Saint.” Photo: Northampton Saints
6. AIDEN REID (PROP)
Another product of NSB, loosehead prop Aiden Reid’s journey into rugby began aged eight when he came through Olney RFC’s ranks. He played a key role in Saints’ victory in the Academy League Final in 2025 as an Under-17, and went on to help NSB to triumph in the Schools Cup Final alongside Lewis back in March. “Aiden is a good ball-playing prop,” said Reed. “He’s a very handy player to have around the park, as well as his set-piece game. Aiden’s a great character off the pitch as well so he’ll be a great addition to the group.” Photo: Northampton Saints
7. JACK LEWIS (BACK ROW)
Jack Lewis has already made a name for himself amongst the Saints faithful. The young back row debuted in black, green and gold during this season’s PREM Rugby Cup to become Saint #2130 and marking himself as the club’s second youngest player in the professional era – featuring at just 17 years and 240 days old. Lewis’ performances through the cup earned him Saints’ player of the month award before he returned to action within Northampton’s Academy set-up – a system he has been a part of since the age of 13. Alongside playing for Saints, Lewis – whose father, Mark, played 51 times for Northampton in the 90s – featured heavily for Northampton School for Boys during his studies there, captaining the side to the Schools Cup final this term where his try helped them to victory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Reed said: “Jack has got one of the highest intent levels I’ve ever seen in a young player, everything he does, he does with purpose and that’s something we love about him. His performances through the PREM Cup showed that behaviour, as does his dedication to his time at NSB, where he commuted day in, day out to get himself into our region and make the most out of his education and his rugby. Jack’s hard-working and wants to consistently improve and prove himself, and he’s a good character to have around as well.” Photo: Northampton Saints
8. HUGH SHIELDS (FLY-HALF)
Another son of a former Saint, Hugh Shields follows his father Paul’s footsteps into the squad, though not positionally – with Shields junior opting to stay out of the pack and don a No. 10 shirt. The NSB schoolboy featured for Northampton’s Under-18s as a 16-year-old, helping the side to the Academy League title in 2025. And though injury curtailed his contributions for the majority of this term, has been meticulous in his recovery and impressed Saints’ coaches upon his return. “Hugh is the most diligent player that I have ever coached, he’s an out-and-out professional,” Reed said of the young fly-half. “He’s shown a great amount of physical resilience through his injury to get himself back fitter and stronger. Hugh maximises his physical potential even though he’s not the biggest player on the pitch. And he’s a player who wants to get better every day and doesn’t waste a single moment in doing that.” Photo: Northampton Saints