Northampton Saints can today confirm that first-team players Tom Collins and Lewis Ludlam have signed new deals to remain at Franklin’s Gardens.
Collins, 23, and 22-year-old Ludlam have both made huge progress since graduating from the Saints Academy, and are now valuable contributors to the first-team squad.
Northampton-born winger Collins broke into the first team at his hometown club in the 2013-14 season, having won the Six Nations with England Under-20s earlier that year.
And that campaign he went from strength to strength, becoming a key cog in the Saints squad that claimed an Aviva Premiership and European Challenge Cup double.
Since then flyer Collins has continued to impress on the field for the first XV, and also scored twice in the Aviva A League final last term as Northampton Wanderers lifted the trophy following victory over Gloucester United.
“I’m delighted to be staying at Saints having been here for the entirety of my career so far,” said Collins, who has been sidelined in recent weeks with a foot injury.
“Ever since I first pulled on the Black, Green and Gold jersey, I have wanted to help Northampton become the best Club in this country and in Europe – and that ambition definitely remains the same.
“I can’t wait to get back on the pitch and help the team finish this season as strongly as possible.”
Ludlam meanwhile made his first-team debut last season during the Anglo-Welsh Cup, and after being part of the same A League success as Collins, made a big impression on his first Premiership start.
The dynamic back-row, who started out as a centre before finding his home in the pack, scored at Twickenham to mark the personal landmark in style and cap off a fine individual performance – and has delivered several accomplished performances in the Premiership and European Champions Cup since.
Ludlam said: “I’ve already had some incredible highs in my time at Franklin’s Gardens, and I cannot wait to make many more memories here at my childhood club.
“Helping the Wanderers win the A League trophy last year was a fantastic experience and I’m really excited to try and win plenty more silverware with the Saints.”
And Northampton Saints CEO Mark Darbon is confident the duo will continue to flourish at the Club.
“Tom and Lewis are fine examples that our Academy is still thriving and we are of course delighted that the pair have committed their future to the Club,” he said.
“We want to build a world-class team with a backbone of home-grown talent, and Tom and Lewis certainly have the potential to have a huge role in that looking forwards.”
Tickets are still available for Saints' European Champions Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne from the ticket office at Franklin’s Gardens, online by visiting bit.ly/SAI-CLE-EPCR or by calling the Saints Ticket Office on 01604 581000.
