'Special' for Dowson to be able to name Dingwall as Saints' club captain
Saints boss Phil Dowson says it is 'special' to be able to hand the club captaincy to Fraser Dingwall.
A lifelong Saints supporter, Dingwall becomes the 69th player to captain the black, green and gold since the club’s formation in 1880.
Having joined Saints’ Academy at the age of 13, Dingwall has gone on to make 167 appearances for Northampton, scoring 31 tries in the process.
And he is no stranger to the captaincy, having previously led the side during their run to the Investec Champions Cup final in 2025, and on several other occasions across recent seasons.
Dingwall follows in the footsteps of fellow Academy graduates Lewis Ludlam and George Furbank, becoming the latest homegrown talent to skipper Saints.
Dingwall was a boyhood black, green and gold supporter and he has gone on to become one of the club's key figures.
And even though he is still just 27, his leadership qualities have been clear for a long time.
“We’re really pleased for Fraser," Dowson said. "He’s come right through our system, having supported the club as a youngster before joining our Academy, and it’s always special to see someone with that connection to Saints take on this responsibility.
“Over the last couple of seasons, he’s stepped up and shown exactly the qualities you want from a captain.
“He’s led the team on a number of occasions when George (Furbank) was unavailable, and the way he handled those opportunities made him the standout choice for us.
“He’s highly respected by the playing group, but what stands out as much is the way he carries himself away from the field. He’s thoughtful, intelligent and has built strong relationships across the entire club, from the players and coaches through to the wider staff.
“We’ve always believed in developing leaders throughout our squad, and Fraser’s journey is a great example of that.
"He’s grown into an influential voice within the group and I know he’ll continue to help bring other leaders through around him.
“The captaincy is never about one person, and Fraser will have a strong group of players alongside him.
"He and the rest of the squad are excited about what lies ahead, and we’re all looking forward to getting started again.”