Paul Hill to leave Saints

Northampton Saints can today confirm that Paul Hill will depart the Club at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season to join Edinburgh Rugby.

The prop has made 187 appearances so far in Black, Green and Gold, having joined Saints back in 2015 from Yorkshire Carnegie.

Hill, 29, made his Northampton debut in October of that year against Worcester Warriors, and his performances earned him a call-up to England’s squad for the 2016 Six Nations. He made his international debut – the first of eight caps to date – against Italy in Rome.

The German-born tighthead has helped Saints reach three Gallagher Premiership semi-finals (2019, 2022, and 2023) during his time at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, and Hill picked up a Premiership Rugby Cup winners medal in 2019 as he started the final for Northampton against Saracens.

Hill has scored four tries along the way for Northampton, one of those coming against East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers in what was also his 100th appearance in Black, Green and Gold.

“I’ve been at Saints for nine years now, so obviously it will be difficult to leave the Club, but this was a really good opportunity for my family and I,” said Hill.

“I’ve got some amazing memories from my time as a Saint. I came here when I was 20, the town has been like home for me ever since, and I’ve made some friends for life here – both inside and outside of the rugby.

“Every year here has been really enjoyable, even those where we’ve not performed as well as we’d have liked. But the year we won the Premiership Rugby Cup was fantastic, and then this year in particular has been great as well with the team going on such a good run.

“It’s a fantastic squad at the moment – young, ambitious, and talented – so it’s an amazing place to play rugby and I’ve no doubt a lot of these boys will serve the Club well for years to come. I also can’t thank the coaches enough for all the opportunities they’ve given me.

“This is a historic Club and the playing group talk all the time about people who have been and gone – Edgar Mobbs, Freddie Blakiston and so on. To be someone who has a Saints number, who has played over 100 times for Northampton, and has a place in that history, is really special.

“But this is the right time for me to move on, and I am looking forward to a new challenge up in Scotland. Edinburgh are a strong team and I’m excited for this next chapter in my rugby career.”

Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, added: “Paul’s been a part of the squad for nine seasons now and has been a big character within our group.

“On his day, Hilly is formidable at tighthead with his set-piece, his athleticism, and his work rate where he’s able to run great lines and cause problems all over the park. The try against Tigers will live long in the memory.

“He’s also got a great attitude and sense of humour, so he gets stuck in with the squad, he’s been a key member of the social committee which is an important job too, and everyone here thinks he’s a cracking man.

“He’s been integral to how this group has formed and kicked on, so we wish him and his young family the best for this next stage of his career up in Edinburgh.”