Ealing star Josh Taylor lands PREM move

Ealing Trailfinders back-row Josh Taylor has signed for Northampton Saints ahead of next season, as reported by RugbyPass in February.

The 23-year-old has captained his side this season as they have gone unbeaten in the Champ, winning all 24 matches to date.

The former Scotland U20 international has spent seven years in west London, making 39 appearances, scoring 11 tries, since his debut in 2023.

This campaign he has been ever-present, making 19 appearances and scoring seven times.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson highlighted his side’s pedigree in selecting players from England’s second tier, including Newcastle Red Bulls-bound Sam Graham, who arrived from Doncaster Knights in 2022. Taylor will help fill the void left by Graham in the back-row at the end of the season.

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Gallagher Premiership

Leicester

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9 May 26

Northampton

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“Where Saints are currently sitting in the PREM speaks for itself – it’s one of the best clubs in the country, and exactly where I want to be,” said Taylor.

“From the very first conversations with Northampton, it was clear how invested the coaches are in developing players here.

“The opportunity to be part of that environment, and to learn from some of the best coaches in the country, is hugely exciting for me.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Ealing for the role they’ve played in my development so far. The CHAMP is a fantastic place to learn your trade – the speed of the game, the physicality and the level of competition have all helped me grow, and that platform has allowed me to earn this opportunity.

“You only have to look at players at Saints who’ve made a similar step in recent seasons, like Tom James and Sam Graham, to see what’s possible. Watching them play in semi-finals and finals, and lifting trophies with Saints, really motivates me – that’s something I want to be part of.

“When I came in and met the coaches and staff, I knew straight away this was the right place for me. Everyone was welcoming, and I feel Saints is the perfect environment to push my game on. If I work hard, I believe this club can help me reach my potential and achieve something special, so I can’t wait to get started.”

Dowson added: “Josh comes to Saints with an excellent reputation from a character point of view, particularly in terms of his work ethic,” said Dowson.

“He’s taken on the captaincy at Ealing at a very young age, leading a group of highly talented and experienced players, which speaks volumes about him as a person. We’re looking forward to seeing how those leadership qualities translate here, how he fits into our environment, and how hungry he is to push himself on to the next level.

“He’s diligent and professional, and we’ve been really impressed watching him this season with how physical he is and how determined he is to make an impact on games.”

“Whether that’s at the breakdown, where he consistently clears bodies, carrying into contact with real intent, or making repeated defensive contributions, he brings a lot of energy and edge.

“Josh has plenty of upsides to his game – he’s strong at set-piece, has a good skillset, and there’s a lot of potential for us to grow his game further here at Saints.

“We’ve got a really well-balanced back-row group next season, with experienced players staying on and some exciting young talent coming through the Academy. Josh will slot into that group well, and we’re excited about what he can learn from those around him and what he can add to us.

“We’ve had a strong track record at Saints of players stepping up from the CHAMP and kicking on, and we’re confident Josh can do the same in Black, Green and Gold.”