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Report reveals Saracens are PREM Rugby's 'homegrown heroes'

BARNET, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Noah Caluori of Saracens looks on prior to the Gallagher PREM match between Saracens and Newcastle Red Bulls at StoneX Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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PREM Rugby’s Academy system review has revealed that Saracens have put their trust in homegrown talent more than any other club in the 10-year period analysed by the league’s organisers.

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Meanwhile, Gloucester are top in class when it comes to producing academy players who’ve gone on to play PREM Rugby, either at Kingsholm or further afield.

Twelve per cent of the 3,127 academy players (366) assessed as part of the Player Development Project, through centrally held registrations between 2012-2022, achieved their dream of playing in English club rugby’s top division, and the vast majority were English qualified (94%).

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The England Academy Player (EAP) conversion rate varied wildly from club to club, ranging from 14.6% (the RFU-owned Yorkshire Rugby Academy) to 45.2% (Saracens). Sale Sharks were a close second and out-of-business London Irish, whose former players are scattered all over the PREM, ranked third.

Saracens’ academy is also the most ethnically diverse, with 29.5 per cent of their academy population in 2025 made up of non-white players.

Of the 10 active clubs assessed over that decade, Bristol Bears had the lowest conversion rate, although they spent some of that period outside of the top flight, which will have had an affect on the numbers. Also, as the current U18 Prem champions, the Bears have an exciting crop of players to build their squad around in the years to come.

PREM Rugby homegrown heroes: How the different academies performed between 2012-22 in turning academy talent into PREM players for their club. Source: PREM Rugby.
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Based on appearances over a rolling three-year period, the report finds that Bath’s academy graduates have had the most impact overall. But Sale possess the individual champion of the academy system in England and Lions star, Tom Curry.

Gloucester’s academy influence has extended well beyond their own walls, with a best-in-class 12.8% of their academy players going on to grace the PREM.

Northampton back-rower Tom Pearson is one example of many who initially learnt their trade at Kingsholm before making a name for themself elsewhere. Person left Gloucester to study at Cardiff Met and was then picked up London Irish.

Once again, Yorkshire and Bristol were the lowest-performing academies in terms of net output over that period.

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The extensive report also covers the success of the academy system in terms of developing talent for the England senior men’s national team. Of the 90 players capped between 2016-2024, 87 per cent (78) came through a PREM academy. Eight came from other countries and three came from either Sevens or Rugby League.

Other findings show that the percentage of state school academy players is trending upwards, which has been helped by the nationwide success of schools such as Northampton School for Boys and Beechen Cliff in Bath.

A total of £95.2million was invested by the RFU and PREM Rugby into the academy system between 2016 and 2024.

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29 Comments
A
Ayre123 None 44 days ago

Any statistics can be “adjusted” to match certain agenda, that’s why the percents of Non whites 29.5 or the England qualified of 94% are frown upon.

f
fl 44 days ago

“Saracens’ academy is also the most ethnically diverse, with 29.5 per cent of their academy population in 2025 made up of non-white players.”

I don’t care what race a player is, but at this point we’re just congratulating londoners on being from london. Obviously the least white part of the country will have the most non-white players.

P
PMcD 44 days ago

So the report says that Bath have the most effective Academy for taking a player through and developing them into PREM players (with appearances) but Gloucester & Sarries have produced the most ENG players through the academy since 2016.


However, there is a clear differentiation between pre-Covid and post-Covid and it says Sarries/Quins were strong pre-Covid and Bath/Saints are stronger post-Covid which is starting to reflect into the league.

K
Knute Floe 43 days ago

Perhaps I am not looking in the right place in the report and forgive me if that is the case, but I think you have that kind of switched around.


Bath have the highest academy productivity - that is “appearance made by homegrown players aged under 24 for senior, A and Under-20 England teams, in the PREM and in European competition, and in other significant competitions such as the PREM Rugby Cup” - P.17 of the report (titled PURPOSE: PRODUCING PLAYERS FOR ENGLAND TEAMS AND THE PREM).


I don’t see anywhere in the report where Gloucester and Sarries are shown as having produced the most England players since 2016. At p.15 (the title of the page is Purpose: Producing Prem Players) Gloucester and Sarries are shown in the bottom table as having the greatest Net Contribution to Prem Rugby.


If I am not seeing what you are seeing please direct me accordingly.

L
LE 44 days ago

Agreed you just need to look at the academy cup finalists to see who is producing the best academy players

2021-22 - Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints

2022-23 - London Irish v Northampton Saints

2023-24 - Bath Rugby Northampton Saints

2024-25 - Northampton Saints Bath Rugby

P
PMcD 44 days ago

For those that wish to see the full report;


https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/M5OO/1BSdBWIjCcz1Oa/9a613e13-c35f-4a25-b69f-abaebaefcbd7.pdf

T
Timmyboy 45 days ago

Saints has the best academy easily.

P
PMcD 44 days ago

Since 2020, Bath & Saints have had the best Academies but if you look at the U18 success, Saints are growing ever stronger, so you would probably argue Bath are currently No 1 but Saints are building and it’s probably part of the reason why both of those teams have risen to the top of the PREM on the back of the Academy success.


When you consider the rise of Sarries & Exeter, followed by Bath & Saints, it suggests a strong Academy probably underpins a period of success within the PREM, so the other clubs need to do more with their academies if they want to close the gap at the top.

P
PMcD 44 days ago

Over a decade with George, Itoje, Isiekwe, Earl, Farrell, Tomkins, Mallins etc they were probably the best but the production line has slowed since Covid.


Bath & Saints really stepped up since 2020 and are producing and playing a lot of talent since Covid.

T
TC 45 days ago

Harsh on Bristol as hasn’t Pat Lam come out regarding them having the smallest catchment area?

P
PMcD 44 days ago

Bristol were pursuing the Galactico approach until 2020, so weren’t putting too much into the Academy at that stage and they also signed a lot of overseas players, who don’t get picked for England.


It’s more a consequence of the strategy rather than being about Pat Lam when you look through the numbers.

J
JD 45 days ago

How many students at Bristol University? How many top rugby schools within a stones through of Ashton Gate? Bear in mind Bristol are also well placed to target Welsh uni’s and schools.

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