Saints sign former England U20s scrumhalf to first senior contract
Northampton Saints have announced that scrum-half Alex Mitchell has put pen to paper on his first senior contract at Franklin’s Gardens.
The 21-year-old has been a part of the Club’s Academy system since arriving at Franklin’s Gardens from Sale Sharks in 2015.
After earning nine Saints appearances in his debut campaign with the first team last season, Mitchell has already trumped that total this term with three starts in 12 outings for the men in Black, Green and Gold so far.
The No.9 also has three tries to his name already this season against Dragons and Bristol Bears, and is hoping to add many more to that tally after signing a deal that will see him stay with the Club until 2021.
“I’m absolutely certain that Northampton is the best place for me to grow as a player, so I had no hesitation in signing a new contract here,” said Mitchell.
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“It’s fantastic to have continued to build my first-team experience with Saints this year – we’ve got a brilliant environment here at the Club and it’s been made clear that if you’re good enough, you’ll be given opportunities to impress.
“I’m still developing on the field and know I have a lot to learn yet from the coaches and senior members of our squad, but I’m excited to keep working hard and wear the Black, Green and Gold jersey as often as I can.”
Born in Maidstone, Mitchell represented England from Under-16 to Under-20 level, playing in the Six Nations campaign and World Rugby Under-20s Championship in 2017. He also helped Northampton Wanderers lift the Premiership Rugby A League trophy in 2017 and 2018, with the side defeating Gloucester United and Exeter Braves in successive finals to claim the title.
But it is in first-team colours that Mitchell has really impressed in recent months, with the young scrum-half starring across the Gallagher Premiership, European Challenge Cup, and Premiership Rugby Cup competitions.
Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd said: “Alex has really stepped up to the mark this season so far and is providing excellent competition for places within our half-backs.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to progress – he has bags of potential and is a popular member of the squad.
“Alex’s best years are definitely still ahead of him and it’s fantastic for us that he shares our vision for the future at Saints.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
6 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
71 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
71 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
71 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
71 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
71 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments