Saints' second-youngest player ever and club legend's son among 8 promotions

Northampton Saints have confirmed that eight prospects have signed their first professional contracts and will join the club’s senior academy ahead of next season.

The group is headlined by back-row Jack Lewis, who became Saints’ second-youngest player of the professional era earlier this season, and second-row George Tonga’uiha, the son of club legend Soane Tonga’uiha.

Joining them in stepping up to the senior academy are Noah Buxton, Sonny Goode, Alex Mead, Aiden Reid, Hugh Shields and Charlie Tamani.

Lewis, whose father, Mark, represented Saints in the 90s, has already caught the eye of Saints supporters after making his senior debut in the PREM Rugby Cup against Harlequins in February at just 17 years and 240 days old. The flanker went on to win the club’s player of the month award during the competition and also captained Northampton School for Boys to Schools Cup glory at Allianz Stadium.

Meanwhile, Tonga’uiha is the latest member of a dynasty at Franklin’s Gardens. The lock follows in the footsteps of both his father, Soane, and older brother, Sonny, by signing a deal with the club.

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There is international pedigree throughout the intake. Goode, Lewis, Reid and Shields have all represented England U18s, while Tamani and Tonga’uiha have featured for England U19s.

Academy head coach Charlie Reed believes the latest crop possesses both the character and talent required to make the transition into professional rugby.

“What the senior coaches are getting with this group of lads is a mixture of great personalities and a variety of talent across the board,” he said.

“A lot of these players have been out through our Academy League fixtures through injury, but each of them, from a character point of view, has the potential to step up into a professional set-up.

“That’ll be the biggest challenge for them coming into the senior environment, making sure that they drive their own development to realise that potential and get to grips with a professional set-up. I’ve no doubt that these lads will cope with that challenge and I’m excited to see what they can achieve.”