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Another Lions star signs on for more at Northampton Saints
By Ian Cameron
England scrum-half Alex Mitchell has signed a new multi-year contract with Northampton Saints, extending a decade-long association with the club.
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The 28-year-old becomes the second player this season to renew terms at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, further strengthening a core group after fellow halfback Fin Smith signed a contract extension last week.
Mitchell has made 147 appearances in Black, Green and Gold, scoring 52 tries. One of them sealed Saints’ first league crown in ten years at Twickenham.
The 5’11, 81kg scrumhalf joined from the Sale Sharks Academy in 2015 and made his debut in 2017.
“Northampton Saints has been my home for the last ten seasons and there’s truly nowhere else I’d rather be playing my rugby,” said Mitchell. “I get to come into the Club and train and play alongside lads I’ve grown up with, some of my best friends, and call it work. It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to be able to say that.
“We feel like we’ve got to right some wrongs after last year. We want to get back to the top of the pile in the PREM, keep pushing forward in Europe, and put some more silverware in our trophy cabinet.”
Mitchell broke into the senior side properly under Chris Boyd in the 2018/19 season, where he went on to play 30 matches as Saints reached the play-offs and lifted the PREM Rugby Cup.
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The Maidstone-born Mitchell has also now won 23 England caps and he featured in three Six Nations campaigns and the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he became England’s starting scrum-half.
His form earned him selection for the British & Irish Lions this summer. He was the only player to feature in all nine matchday squads and ran out in two Tests against Australia.
“Alex Mitchell is one of the best scrum-halves in the world, and to keep someone of his quality in our environment speaks volumes about the ambitions of this club,” said Saints DoR Phil Dowson. “The relationship he has with his teammates, his work ethic, and his ability to influence games at the highest level make him invaluable. We’re thrilled he’s staying and confident his best rugby is still to come.”