Saints coaching trio sign contract extensions

Northampton Saints are delighted to announce that three members of the Club’s coaching team – Phil Dowson (Director of Rugby), Sam Vesty (Head Coach), and James Craig (Coach) – have signed contract extensions at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

The landmark move ensures continuity at the heart of Saints’ rugby operations following a period of exceptional success.

Dowson, Vesty, and Craig were a core part of the leadership group as the men in Black, Green and Gold delivered the Club’s first Gallagher PREM title in a decade in 2024, and reached the Investec Champions Cup Final in 2025. Alongside these achievements, the trio have championed homegrown talent – nurturing a new generation of players who have gone on to earn international recognition.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Phil, Sam, and James have committed their futures to Northampton Saints,” said the Club’s Chief Executive, Julia Chapman.

“Their leadership and vision have been instrumental in delivering silverware and shaping an exciting future for the Club. Securing them for the long term is a clear sign of the Club’s ambition and our determination to keep building on recent success.

“The culture and environment they’ve created – and the strong bond within the playing group – are fundamental to what makes Saints special. Players want to come here because they know these coaches will help them improve, and that speaks volumes about their quality and approach.

“These extensions also reflect our confidence in a coaching team that is constantly evolving, striving to get better, and staying true to our values of developing homegrown talent while playing an exhilarating brand of rugby.

“We believe Phil, Sam, and James will continue to inspire our players, our supporters, and the rugby community in Northampton as we push for even more over the seasons still to come.”

PHIL DOWSON

Phil Dowson has been the driving force behind Northampton Saints’ achievements since taking over as Director of Rugby ahead of the 2022/23 season.

A former back-row stalwart in Black, Green and Gold, Dowson enjoyed a glittering playing career at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, making 186 appearances and captaining the side to the Anglo-Welsh Cup title in 2010. He was integral to Saints’ historic double-winning season in 2014 and earned seven England caps, alongside leading the England Saxons and an England XV against the Barbarians.  

After retiring in 2017, Dowson transitioned seamlessly into coaching, initially as Assistant Coach before taking charge of Saints’ forwards. His tactical acumen and leadership qualities saw him entrusted with the top job at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in 2022.

Since then, Dowson has masterminded a PREM title triumph in 2024, and guided Saints to consecutive Champions Cup semi-finals and a Final appearance in 2025.

His philosophy centres on sustainable success, a deep-rooted connection to the Club’s identity, and developing homegrown talent – and under his stewardship, Saints have become one of Europe’s most formidable sides.

“I love this Club – it’s been a huge part of my life as both a player and a coach,” Dowson said. “I have so many fond memories from my time here and a real appreciation for what Saints means to the town.

“We’ve got an incredibly talented playing group which I feel still has so much more to offer, supported by brilliant people across the Club who are fully invested in what we’re building.

“This coaching team is a big source of enjoyment for me; the cohesion, trust, and balance we share is special, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it.

“Our focus remains on doing things the right way – developing local lads through the Academy and creating an environment for sustainable success. I’m still learning every day, and that’s exciting too. We all want to keep improving and ensure that Saints thrive at the very highest level.”

SAM VESTY

Sam Vesty has been instrumental in shaping Northampton Saints’ attacking identity since joining the Club in 2018. Initially appointed as Attack Coach after a successful stint at Worcester Warriors, Vesty brought a dynamic, free-flowing style that quickly became Saints’ hallmark.

A former Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby player, Vesty made over 200 Gallagher PREM appearances and earned two England caps before retiring in 2013. His coaching credentials were enhanced by a short-term role with England (as Skills Coach) during their 2017 Argentina tour.

Promoted to Head Coach at Northampton in 2022, Vesty has overseen a thrilling era for Saints. His philosophy of empowering players to ‘play what’s in front of them’ has delivered some of the most exhilarating rugby in Europe.

Vesty’s emphasis on intelligent risk-taking and player development ensures Saints remain at the cutting edge of the modern game, while his ability to nurture talent reflects a long-term vision for success.

Vesty said: “I’ve loved every minute of my seven years at Saints so far. We’ve built a playing squad and support team that’s already performing at a high level, but what excites me most is the potential to go up another gear and continue growing as a group.

“Seeing so many players committing to that vision by signing new contracts recently has been fantastic, and I’m really looking forward to this next stage and all the opportunities that are in front of us.

“There’s a core group of players that have been together for a long time now, and it’s epic to think about what they have already done, and what they’re capable of doing moving forward. But over the last couple of years, we’ve also had another wave coming off the Academy production line, which is really, really exciting. Their emergence keeps the environment fresh and inspiring.

“I feel like I am a different coach to the one who started here seven years ago. I’m definitely still learning and I’ve matured as a coach, but fundamentally my passion remains the same; I’ve always wanted to help people get better and that’s still the most rewarding part of the job.”

JAMES CRAIG

James Craig’s journey from player to coach epitomises Northampton Saints’ commitment to progression.

A towering second row during his playing days, Craig made 73 appearances for Saints after joining from Leeds Carnegie in 2011, contributing to the Club’s Anglo-Welsh Cup Final run in 2012 and the historic PREM and European Challenge Cup double in 2014. His performances earned him a call-up to England Saxons in 2016.

Craig retired in 2019 and immediately transitioned into coaching, initially managing Saints’ Developing Player Programme and guiding Northampton’s Academy talent through the Club’s pathway system.

His expertise in forward play saw him promoted to the senior coaching team in 2022, where he took charge of lineout strategy, maul coordination, and forward development.

Craig’s influence on Saints’ set-piece and breakdown work was pivotal in Northampton’s title-winning campaign in 2024, as well as their Champions Cup Final appearance in 2025. His commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and fostering a culture of continuous improvement has helped shape one of the most dynamic, physical, and intelligent packs in European rugby.

“Staying at Saints was an easy decision for me,” said Craig. “The Club is brilliantly structured from the Academy through to the senior squad, and we have a strong flow of talented players coming through, so we’re in a great place.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity Mark Hopley (Head of Academy) gave me to start coaching here seven years ago, and proud of the progress we’ve made. The Club firmly believes in developing our own, and my own coaching journey is another example of that.

“This current squad of players has huge potential – they’re already performing at a high level, but I believe there’s even more to come from them. Then, from a coaching perspective, the opportunity to continue working alongside this team of coaches was really appealing. We enjoy each other’s company and what we do, we’re able to have difficult conversations and challenge each other, and that keeps the environment healthy.

“That culture makes coming to work every day genuinely enjoyable, so I’m really excited about what the next few years hold for Saints.”