Mixed news for Saints as triple signing comes after player ban

Northampton Saints were handed a dose of good and bad news this week, confirming long-term deals in their coaching team alongside James Ramm’s two-match suspension.

The club announced that director of rugby Phil Dowson, head coach Sam Vesty, and assistant coach James Craig have all signed contract extensions. The renewals arrive after a Gallagher PREM title in 2024 and a Investec Champions Cup final in 2025.

Ramm’s disciplinary outcome was announced shortly before, following his 20-minute red card against Pau. The Australian accepted his tackle in the air was a red-card offence, with the committee ruling it a “reckless act” but at the low end of the sanction scale.

The initial four-week entry point was halved due to Ramm’s good disciplinary record, remorse, and apology to Pau’s Thomas Jolmes, resulting in a final two-week suspension. It means Saints will be without the back-three star for the visit from the Bulls this weekend at Franklin’s Gardens and the clash with Sale Sharks the week after.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Phil, Sam and James have committed their futures,” said chief executive Julia Chapman. “Their leadership and vision have been instrumental in delivering silverware and shaping an exciting future for the club.

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“Securing them for the long term is a clear sign of the club’s ambition and our determination to keep building on recent success.”

Dowson added: “I love this club — it’s been a huge part of my life as both a player and a coach. We’ve got an incredibly talented group with so much more to offer.

“This coaching team is a big source of enjoyment for me; the cohesion, trust, and balance we share is special, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it.”

Vesty added that the squad “the potential to go up another gear,” while Craig said remaining at Saints was “an easy decision,” praising a coaching environment.