Tom Pearson renews contract at Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints can today announce that Tom Pearson has signed a new contract to remain at the Club beyond the current campaign.

The 26-year-old arrived in Northampton in the summer of 2023 and made an immediate impact in Black, Green and Gold. Pearson featured 21 times in his debut season at Saints, helping the Club secure its first Gallagher PREM title in a decade.

He continued to play a key role as Saints reached the Investec Champions Cup Final the following campaign, before making 22 appearances and scoring six tries in 2025/26 as Northampton lifted the PREM trophy for the second time in three seasons.

“Since joining Saints, I’ve felt completely at home,” said Pearson. “I genuinely feel like this Club has brought the best out of me as a player.

“I’ve developed so much during my time here, whether that’s my all-round game, my set piece work, or my attacking game – and a huge amount of credit for that has to go to the coaches.

“They’re all incredibly invested in helping players improve, not just for what they can achieve with Saints but also in terms of their wider ambitions. That support and belief is a massive part of why I wanted to stay.

“As a squad, we’re all pulling in the same direction and there’s a real sense that we’re building something together. Northampton is a great place to be and somewhere I know I can continue to get the best out of myself.

“I also want to create more memories with this group. We’re a close-knit squad off the field and I think that connection shows when we’re out on the pitch. Everyone is so committed to the Club and to each other, and that drives you to work harder and achieve more alongside your mates.

“Getting back into the England set-up remains a huge motivation for me. I feel like I’ve got unfinished business there and it’s something I’m determined to push for again this season.

“At Saints, though, we’re ambitious. We’re proud of what we achieved last year, but we’ve parked that now and are fully focused on what comes next. We’ve got a fantastic group, we’ve kept the core of the squad together, and there’s a real belief that we can achieve even more. We’re excited to see what this season can bring.”

Pearson began his rugby journey with youth clubs Bromyard RFC and Luctonians before progressing into Gloucester Rugby’s Academy system. He then moved to Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he made 42 appearances in the BUCS Super Rugby competition and earned a spot in the league’s Team of the Year.

Ahead of the 2021/22 season, the back rower joined London Irish’s Academy and quickly established himself in the senior squad. Across two seasons with the Exiles, Pearson made 39 appearances in all competitions and was recognised with both PREM Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Season award and the RPA’s Young Player of the Year honour in 2022/23.

Those performances also earned Pearson international recognition. Shortly before joining Northampton in the summer of 2023, he won his first England cap in a Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture against Wales.

Pearson’s first season at Saints saw him feature in 21 matches across the PREM and Champions Cup, scoring seven tries, including a memorable hat-trick against Aviron Bayonnais. He played a significant role as Northampton claimed the Club’s second PREM title and reached the Champions Cup semi-finals.

An injury suffered late in the 2024/25 campaign ruled Pearson out of Saints’ Champions Cup Final appearance, but he returned to feature 22 times in 2025/26. He was also named in Northampton’s starting XV for the PREM Final victory over Exeter Chiefs as the Club secured another league title.

On Pearson’s re-signing, Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “Keeping Tom at the Club was a huge priority for us.

“Statistically, he’s right up there among the best back rowers in the league, but what stands out most is his desire to keep improving. He’s constantly looking for ways to get better, and that mindset fits perfectly with what we’re all about as a Club.

“Physically, he’s an exceptional athlete. His ability to beat defenders, his power, speed and skill level make him a real handful, but there are also elements of his game that he’s worked tirelessly on with the coaches – particularly James Craig. His work around the maul, both in attack and defence, has improved enormously and has become a real strength.

“His versatility is incredibly valuable as well. Having someone who can perform across the back row gives us great flexibility, and the work Tom has put in to develop his game on the blindside has added another dimension to what he offers.

“The back row is one of the strongest and most competitive areas of our squad, and that competition is vital to the environment we want to create. The players in that group drive each other on every day, they all want to improve and they all want to play.

“Tom is a big part of setting those standards. Having players like him alongside younger guys such as Josh Taylor, Jack Lewis and Charlie Ulcoq is hugely important for the group. They can learn from him, but he also helps create the competitive environment that allows everyone to develop.

“We still think there’s plenty more to come from Tom. He’s got a really high ceiling, and we’re excited to see what he can achieve over the next few seasons. We’re delighted that he’ll be staying with us.”