Wallabies hopeful James Ramm joins New Zealand NPC side before Force move

Wallabies hopeful James Ramm is set to return home to Australia after signing a two-year deal with the Western Force, but the former Northampton Saints winger will first make a stop across the ditch in New Zealand’s NPC.

Northland Rugby announced on Wednesday morning that Ramm, who was part of Northampton’s 2026 PREM Rugby title-winning squad, is the latest addition to the provincial side ahead of the upcoming season.

All Blacks Sevens brothers Rob and Brady Rush, outside back Solomon Alaimalo and lock Josh Goodhue have also signed on, with the Taniwha confirming these contract updates ahead of their season opener on August 2.

Ramm will play for Northland before linking up with the Force, who announced on February 24 that the winger was returning to Australia. The 28-year-old initially played for the NSW Waratahs before heading offshore, debuting for the Saints in September 2022.

 

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The outside back has spoken multiple times about the appeal of potentially playing for the Wallabies at next year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil, initially describing it as “the pinnacle of any Aussie rugby player’s career.”

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Force next season and relocating to Perth with my wife, Ally,” Ramm said.

“After talking to many of the boys and staff currently at the club, it is clear that there is a strong culture, a drive for success and a genuine belief in what this group can achieve. The opportunity to play a role in what the club is building is something that really excites me.

“The prospect of a home Rugby World Cup is incredibly motivating. Representing your country on home soil in front of family and friends, in my eyes, is the pinnacle of any Aussie rugby player’s career. But I know that selection starts with consistent performances at Super Rugby level, and that’s where my full attention will be.

“My immediate focus will be on contributing to a strong Super Rugby campaign and doing everything I can to help the team succeed.”

Ramm started on one wing when the Saints took the field for the 2025 Champions Cup Final, falling to first-time winners Bordeaux 28-20 in Cardiff. Northampton reached the Premiership semi-finals in England that season as well, before going a couple better during the recent campaign.

The Saints took out the Premiership crown with a 26-17 triumph over the Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, with Ramm featuring in seven matches during the regular season. Ramm made 13 starts in 15 appearances this season before leaving the club.

“I think it’s definitely becoming more real. We had the leaving ceremony after the game on the weekend, and when you get presented with your jersey, and it’s definitely starting to hit home a bit more that, you know, this is it,” Ramm explained.

“Trying to pack your life up is quite a task. We’ve collected a lot of just random little bits over the four years, and we think, ‘What are we going to do with all this stuff?’ So, trying to pack boxes and ship stuff back is a job.

“I had to talk with my wife about it a lot, and then what we really wanted from this next chapter. And I think we were always going to end up living back in Australia. It was just about when, and the pull of a home World Cup, was really a big factor, in our decision.

“I just thought if I can throw everything at it, and if I looked back on this time and thought I’d wish I had, I’d really regret it. So, I’m just sort of putting everything in place to make sure that I don’t look back and regret anything.”