Scrum-half Tom James has signed a new deal to remain at Northampton Saints, the Club can today confirm.
James – who first arrived at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in the summer of 2020 – has gone from strength to strength since first donning the Black, Green and Gold jersey, having now made 69 appearances to date in his five seasons at the Club.
The 30-year-old followed an unconventional route into the Gallagher Premiership; graduating from Loughborough University while featuring for Loughborough Students in National One and earning himself a call up to England Students in 2016, before enjoying a spell at Bedford Blues and joining Championship rivals Doncaster Knights.
James quickly established himself as Doncaster’s first-choice scrum-half – finishing the 2018/19 season as the Knights’ top-scorer and adding eight tries in 18 appearances to his tally in 2019/20, before arriving in Northampton when rugby restarted after the Covid-19 pandemic.
When your left foot is a wand 🪄
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) January 30, 2023
An unbelievable 50-22 kick from @TomMRJames 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Uxxx6hYe5Q
James debuted in Black, Green and Gold in against London Irish in 2020 and scored his first try in a Saints shirt during his Heineken Champions Cup debut against Leinster in Dublin.
“TJ is a fantastic example of our recruitment strategy outside of the Academy working so well,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson. “Alongside the likes of Sam Graham and Robbie Smith, these are guys who came in at Saints looking for an opportunity to show what they are capable of.
“He’s one of the guys you really trust because he gets on with his work and he relishes pushing himself, working on his game, and quietly getting better.
“Tom’s got a wand of a left foot, and his ability to put the ball over the heads of wingers out of hand or by box kicking, as well as what he does to get the ball up and get our game moving, is so valuable for us.”
Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby
“He’s also such a tenacious, physical and tough player who’s an absolute competitor every time he steps onto the pitch – we love him for that. He’s strong and fast which works both in defence and in attack, especially around those fringes he gets us going forward.
“So, we’re delighted he’s so excited to continue here with us and we look forward to seeing what’s to come from TJ.”
James established himself as an integral part of Saints’ squad in 2021/22, featuring in Black, Green and Gold 20 times and scoring four tries as Northampton secured their place in the Gallagher Premiership’s play-offs for the first time three years.
When your scrum-half temporarily turns into a top class openside.@TomMRJames coming up huge with the match-winning jackal 🐺 pic.twitter.com/Bo50hY1lvm
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) October 30, 2023
A further 18 appearances and four more tries would come for James the following campaign as Saints secured a second consecutive Premiership play-off place, and with 12 appearances already under his belt this season, the scrum-half is looking forward to what lies ahead with Saints.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have re-signed for the Club. It’s a great time to be a Saint, as you can see from our recent results, and given how tight-knit the squad is, it’s a very special group to be a part of.
“I still feel like I’m learning and improving all the time, and I’m really enjoying my rugby at the moment.”
Tom James
“A lot of that is down to the fact that there’s a coaching group here who do all they can to make you a better player each day.
“It’s such a talented squad and I have no doubt we have the ability to go on and win silverware, so I’m looking forward to giving everything I can to help the Club achieve that.”
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