English-qualified Australian Schools international one of four Saints deals

Northampton Saints have secured the futures of four of their rising stars, with Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, Aidan Pugh, Freddie St John and Charlie Ulcoq all signing new deals to remain at Franklin’s Gardens.

The quartet all made their senior debuts during this season’s PREM Rugby Cup campaign, helping Saints reach the semi-finals before falling to Exeter Chiefs, and have now committed their futures to Phil Dowson’s side after impressing both in Northampton colours and out on loan.

Back-row Ainsworth-Cave, 19, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, featuring for England U20 during the Six Nations, helping the University of Bath win the BUCS Super Rugby title and made his Gallagher PREM debut against Newcastle Red Bulls in March.

“Aiden has been incredibly thorough with his training,” said director of rugby Dowson. “He’s someone who is desperate to improve, works incredibly hard and wants to be a leader.”

Scrum-half Pugh only arrived at Saints at the start of the season after previously spending time in the Bath academy set-up following London Irish’s collapse in 2023. The 19-year-old has already made two senior appearances and earned praise from Dowson for the “real edge” he brings to the game.

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Centre St John, another academy graduate, made his debut in the PREM Rugby Cup this season after helping Saints lift the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League title in 2025. The 18-year-old has also been involved with England U20s this term.

Meanwhile, Australian-born back-row Charlie Ulcoq has also earned a new deal after arriving initially as a trialist. The 20-year-old represented Australian Schools and NSW Waratahs U18s before moving to Northampton and has already made five senior appearances, scoring his first try in the Cup against Newcastle.

Dowson described Ulcoq as “tough, relentless and aggressive”, adding: “He brings a really keen energy to everything he does, which we love.”