Pearson signs contract extension with Northampton

Northampton Saints back row Tom Pearson has signed a contract extension with the reigning Premiership champions.

The 24-year-old joined Saints in the summer of 2023 following the collapse of former club London Irish.

Pearson scored seven tries in 21 appearances last season as they won the title for the first time in a decade, beating Bath 25-21 in the final at Twickenham.

"We think we’ve only really scratched the surface of what he’s capable of,” said director of rugby Phil Dowson.

"His athleticism and skill level are through the roof, but so is his conscientiousness, his professionalism, and his desire to achieve great things."

The club say that Pearson, who won his first, and so far only, England cap in a World Cup warm-up game against Wales last year, will now remain with them "beyond the current campaign".

"Last season was a whirlwind, but Saints is a place I feel I can really push on and develop," said Pearson. "It’s a place I’ve learnt loads already and somewhere I’ve really been enjoying playing rugby.

“The obvious ambition for us is to go all the way again and repeat our successes of last year, we want to put our name in the hat to win the Premiership again and I’m really excited to be a part of that."

Northampton are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Leicester Tigers for the latest East Midlands derby.