Tom Lockett will remain at Northampton Saints beyond the current season, with the Club today confirming that the second row has signed a contract extension to stay at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The 21-year-old has racked up 19 appearances in Black, Green and Gold since graduating from Saints’ Academy ranks to debut against London Irish in the Premiership Rugby Cup in 2021.
Lockett made his Gallagher Premiership debut earlier this season, before scoring a match-winning try against RC Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup two months later.
The lock is feeling more and more at home in Black, Green and Gold and revealed that the success of Saints’ Academy pathway system has been a source of inspiration for him to remain within Northampton’s squad for the foreseeable future.
“Saints have got a fantastic squad with a lot of young, ambitious players, and this year in particular it’s been great to see so many of those guys really come into their own and become leaders of the group,” said Lockett.
“I’ve grown up with a lot of the lads here in Northampton, and seeing them all now performing to such a high level week in, week out has been amazing – it’s something I really wanted to stay a part of.
“I’ve really enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to play more this season. I’ve been involved in the first team more than ever before, which of course changes your mindset, and I really want to kick on in the years ahead of me here.”
Tom Lockett
“There are some really talented senior players in my position, and they’ve been great with me in sharing things that are improving my game, and making sure I am ready to compete in the Premiership and Champions Cup where the margins for error are so small.
“The Academy pathway is well-trodden in Northampton; we have a very successful Academy and so staying on here is really a no-brainer when you see those guys that have come before you through the system now playing every week in the Premiership and being selected for England.
“I have complete confidence this is the best place for me to improve as a player. Now, I just want to keep playing rugby regularly and wear that Saints shirt as much as I can, so I am delighted to be staying at the Club.”
Loving every second https://t.co/9pYpK9oKf7
— Tom Lockett (@tomlockett12) December 16, 2023
Originally in Colchester United’s football academy, Saints Academy coaches picked up Lockett aged 16 and saw enough potential in the youngster to take him on full-time just 18 months later.
A physical second row at 6’8” tall, Lockett was scouted from Colchester Royal Grammar School in 2019 and initially earned international honours with Wales (playing for their Under-18s side), before switching to England at Under-20s level and featuring prominently in both the Six Nations and Summer Series in the 2021/22 season.
Lockett has made his most senior appearances in a single season already this term, featuring for Saints 11 times so far while also playing for Northampton’s partner side Bedford Blues in the Championship.
Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, added: “Tom really learned how to use his giant frame throughout last summer, and has become a bit of a handful in collisions.
“He is a real student of the game, loves his lineout work and [coach] James Craig has become a big mentor for him.
“Tom knows that the set piece is going to be one of his fundamentals and he spends a lot of time looking at calling and defensive set-ups. He has a huge potential for growth and is beginning to understand how much of a brute he can be with his weight.”
Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby
“He’s made some big impacts for us in the first team this season, particularly in the Champions Cup where he performed really well up in Glasgow and then again at home a week later against Toulon – the way he moved into space for the match-winning try against Toulon under a huge amount of pressure was very nuanced and impressive.
“In his collisions, especially in defence, a lot of the techniques and processes that Lee Radford has brought in have really suited him. He is another player who has benefitted from our partnership with Bedford Blues and playing in the Championship, and we have got huge hopes for him.”
