Tom Litchfield has penned a new deal at Northampton Saints, with the Club today confirming that the centre will remain at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on a multi-year contract.
The 22-year-old – who debuted in Black, Green and Gold in 2021 – has already racked up 47 appearances and scored six tries in a Saints shirt since graduating from the Club’s Academy set-up.
Bedford-born Litchfield played a key role in Northampton’s Gallagher Premiership title campaign during the 2023/24 season, running out 18 times in all competitions for Saints including 12 league matches.
The centre, who has started seven of his eight appearances in Black, Green and Gold so far this term, is thrilled to be staying in Northampton for the foreseeable future.
“I’m really happy to be remaining a Saint,” said Litchfield. “The group we have at the Club – players and staff – is really special. For me, there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather to be playing my rugby.
“Last season was extraordinary. What we achieved as a group was unbelievable, but for me personally it was an incredible year.
“The coaches put a lot of trust in me last season, I played a lot more than I expected to, and I hope that I can keep performing in a way that repays that trust.”
Tom Litchfield
“The competition and camaraderie we have in the centres at Saints has been a huge factor in my development. Training every day alongside the likes of Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson, who have both played internationally, pushes you forwards.
“Getting to play for my boyhood club in front of the best supporters in the league is something I will never take for granted. As a squad, we’re determined to keep giving them performances to cheer about and I’m looking forward to seeing what else we can achieve as a group.”
An ever-present in Northampton’s Under-18s during the 2019/20 season, the centre came through the Samuel Whitbread Academy system and played his junior rugby for Bedford Blues.
Another well worked try from the Saints! 👏
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 1, 2024
Tom Litchfield with Saints's third of the evening!#PremRugbyCup | #NORvLEI pic.twitter.com/GAjWDuS97y
Litchfield featured for Saints in the 2019 Premiership Rugby 7s tournament at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, and also spent time on loan with hometown club Bedford Blues during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 seasons as part of Saints’ strategic partnership with their Championship neighbours.
Internationally, Litchfield represented England Under-20s in both the 2021 and 2022 Six Nations, while also appearing in the 2022 Summer Series, and Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has been impressed with the young centre’s performances this season.
He said: “Some of the best rugby Litch has played for Saints has been in the last month, and that constant improvement is what has really impressed us about him.
“Litch has been a real student of the game recently, spending a lot of time with Lee Radford, Sam Vesty and Jake Sharp to improve his rugby, and that hard work has been evident in his performances.”
Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby
“A lot of what Litch does, he does in quite an unassuming way without a lot of fanfare, but the way he puts his head down and quietly goes about his business of getting better and playing well is an integral part of what Saints is about.
“His differential is his physicality, his ability to get us over the gainline in tough situations, and he does that with a really strong attitude. We’re really pleased with how he keeps improving and showing us what he’s capable of.“
