James Signs Professional Contract
James P, Upper Sixth pupil at The Leys, has signed his first professional contract with the Premiership rugby team Northampton Saints.
This milestone comes after representing England U18 in the Six Nations this year, earning caps for England U19, and leading The Leys to victory in the Uppingham Sevens tournament earlier this term.
James joined The Leys in Year 7, where he was introduced to rugby. Having previously excelled in football, he quickly adapted his skills and became one of the best players in his year, earning the title of Year 8 Player of the Season. Despite the pandemic interrupting his progress, he played a key role in taking the U16 team to the semi-finals of the Rosslyn Park Sevens Tournament in Year 11.
His performance at Rosslyn Park caught the attention of Northampton Saints, who invited him to join their Academy in 2023. Subsequently, he was noticed by England Rugby and invited to attend the U17 Development Camp in 2024. Since attending the camp, James has been selected to play for England U18s in the 2025 Six Nations Tournament and has also been capped for England U19s, all while continuing to play in the Saints Academy.
James commented: “I feel elated to have signed my first professional contract; it is a dream come true. I am grateful for the support I’ve received from The Leys, from the coaching and mentorship of Head of Rugby, Mr Clark, to the academic staff and tutors who have helped me balance training with my schoolwork.
'I hope to continue playing for England, and my dream would be to be selected for the U20 World Cup this summer and the U20 Six Nations next year. In the meantime, I look forward to settling in with the Saints and continuing my progress.'
May 2025