Saints re-sign four Senior Academy prospects

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, Aidan Pugh, Freddie St John and Charlie Ulcoq have all penned deals to remain at Northampton Saints, the Club can today announce.

The quartet of young stars debuted in Black, Green and Gold during this season’s PREM Rugby Cup – helping Saints reach the semi-final of that competition, where they were eventually beaten by runners-up Exeter Chiefs.

With 13 senior appearances between them so far, the group will stay at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens after impressing in both a Saints and Bedford Blues shirt this season.

AIDEN AINSWORTH-CAVE

3 apps | Saint #2122

Beginning his rugby at Bedford School and Bedford Junior Blues, Ainsworth-Cave initially joined Saints’ Academy system as an Under-14.

The loose forward followed up a year out of action through injury with his Under-18s campaign, which saw him close out the 2023/24 season playing in Northampton’s last PREM Rugby Academy League game at home to Newcastle before featuring in the Final that term.

Ainsworth-Cave has been balancing his early years as a Saint with his studies at the University of Bath, helping them lift the BUCS Super Rugby trophy this term. The back rower also featured for England Under-20s throughout the Six Nations this spring; and after becoming Saint #2122 against Harlequins in the Cup, a first Gallagher PREM appearance came for the 19-year-old against Newcastle Red Bulls in March.

Of the back rower Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “Aiden has been plugging away at Bath this year and has been playing really well. When you go away to university, it can be hard because there’s no one over your shoulder telling you what to do.

“Aiden has been incredibly thorough with his training; he’s been professional and that’s show in his performance in the BUCS league which Bath won this year.

“When he’s been back with us at the Club this season, he has improved each time. I thought Aiden was outstanding throughout the Six Nations campaign.

“He’s someone who is desperate to improve, works incredibly hard and wants to be a leader. I’ve been really impressed with him this season.”

AIDAN PUGH

2 apps | Saint #2124

Joining Northampton at the start of this campaign, Pugh arrived at cinch Stadium after graduating from Bath Rugby’s Academy set-up.

Having been a casualty of London Irish’s demise in 2023, Pugh made the switch to Bath and played against Saints in the 2025 Under-18s Academy League final as a replacement.

Alongside his progress at the Somerset club, Pugh tasted senior rugby as a 17-year-old at National League 2 side Henley Hawks, featuring in 18 of their fixtures during the 2024/25 season.

His first term in Black, Green and Gold saw 19-year-old Pugh make his debut for Northampton against Leicester Tigers in the Cup, while also featuring for Loughborough University in BUCS Super Rugby in his time as a student there.

Dowson said: “Aidan came in at the start of the year and immediately kicked on in training while Mitch [Alex Mitchell] was away with the Lions and Archie [McParland] and Jonny [Weimann] were in England U20 camp.

“He’s been very competitive with the group here at Saints and has been playing well for Loughborough when he’s been with them too.

“Aidan has a real edge to his game, his skill level has improved, his pass-kick has been excellent and he’s a tenacious young player.”

FREDDIE ST JOHN

3 apps | Saint #2127

A product of Saints’ Academy system, St John penned his first professional contract at the Club ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The former Oakham School pupil helped Northampton to lift the 2025 Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League trophy, as the side defeated Bath Rugby 31-14 at Kingsholm Stadium.

This term, St John became Saint #2127 as he debuted in the PREM Cup, coming off the bench against Leicester in November.

St John was named in the England U20s EPS squad at the start of the current campaign, and even though he is still just 18 years old, Dowson hopes there is plenty more to come from the centre.

“Freddie is a powerful young centre, with a good skill set,” said Dowson.

“He’s a big unit for a young man and, perhaps most importantly, is really good lad who works incredibly hard.

“Freddie’s, unfortunately, injured at the moment but we have got high hopes for him within our set-up.”

CHARLIE ULCOQ

5 apps | Saint #2125

Originally signing as a trialist in 2024/25, Ulcoq officially joined Saints’ Senior Academy at the start of this term.

The English-qualified back row arrived at the Gardens having represented NSW Waratahs Under-18s, NSW Schools, Australian Schools, and Scots College (Sydney) 1st XV in 2024.

This term, Ulcoq impressed from the off, starting his debut clash against Tigers in the Cup before claiming a maiden try in the same competition as Saints defeated Newcastle Red Bulls.

Ulcoq’s performance through the Cup earned the 20-year-old a first PREM appearance in March, as he came off the bench in Saints’ 28-27 victory over Newcastle.

Since then, injury has stymied the back rower’s chances, but Dowson is looking forward seeing more from Ulcoq when he is back up and running.

“It was Mark Hopley who first saw Charlie playing in Australia and he was impressed then,” said Dowson.

“Charlie came over here on a trial and proved he was willing to work hard; we’ve seen huge growth in him in his time with us so far.

“He’s a tough, relentless and aggressive young player. He wants to hit hard, and importantly for us, he wants to get better. He brings a really keen energy to everything he does, which we love.”