Noah Buxton, Sonny Goode, Jack Lewis, Alex Mead, Aiden Reid, Hugh Shields, Charlie Tamani and George Tonga’uiha will all join up with the men in black, green and gold in the summer after signing their first professional contracts.
All eight have played a role in Saints’ Under-18 PREM Next Gen Academy League clashes this season, with back row forward Lewis also going on to make his senior Saints debut in February against Harlequins in the PREM Rugby Cup.
On the international stage, Goode, Lewis, Reid and Shields have all represented England at Under-18s level, with Tamani and Tonga’uiha having both featured for England Under-19s too.
“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,” said Academy head coach Charlie Reed.
“As an Academy, that’s what we want to keep producing: players that are authentic in their own way, but also people that are willing to compete and work hard.
"They’re a good bunch and tight knit as a set of lads.
“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.”
1. NOAH BUXTON (PROP)
Noah Buxton, whose rugby journey started at Milton Keynes RFC as a 12-year-old, has had a varied journey to the front row, beginning his career as a centre and later a back row as part of Wasps’ (latterly known as Midlands Central) pathway. He made the move to Saints in his Under-17s season and shifted to tighthead prop in the process, quickly making a name for himself with his barnstorming strength and power. Reed said: “Noah is one of the strongest young players who has ever come through the system. He’s been signed primarily around that physical potential, for him to come into the set-up here and try to kick on. He’s still very new to the front row; it’s only a position he’s been in for the last 18 months, but he’s an exciting prospect to have in our Senior Academy.” Photo: Northampton Saints
2. ALEX MEAD (SECOND ROW)
Following in the footsteps of fellow Perse schoolboy Alex Coles, Alex Mead is a towering figure in the second row with physicality and agility to boot. A shoulder injury sidelined him for the majority of the 2025/26 season; however, Mead managed to recover in time to play in a black, green and gold shirt on Academy finals day at Kingsholm. “Alex is an extremely diligent lad,” Reed said of the powerful lock. “He’s had a long-term injury, but his diligence with his rehab and dedication to the gym has been exceptional. His want to go and hit things defensively is really pleasing to see for such a young age, and he already has a professional rugby player’s mindset.” Photo: Northampton Saints
3. SONNY GOODE (SCRUM-HALF)
A part of Saints’ Academy since 2020, Sonny Goode will provide Saints with a versatile option in their backline – having played right across the backs before settling on scrum-half at the close of this term. First picking up a rugby ball at the age of just four, the Bloxham schoolboy captained Saints in the Academy League multiple times this season, and has also represented England at Under-18s. Reed said: “Sonny is a very good unstructured game player; he has a fantastic feel for the game and has played in every single position across the backline in his Academy journey. He has been a bit of a Swiss-Army knife for us. He’s now settled on being a scrum-half, so is getting to grips with life there. It’s still new for him, but his ability to play what he sees and react to the state of the game is excellent and I’ve no doubt he’ll adapt well.” Photo: Northampton Saints
4. CHARLIE TAMANI (WING)
Charlie Tamani’s journey into rugby began in the sport’s other code, with the fast-footed back first playing for rugby league side Eastern Rhinos before he was introduced to union at Finborough School. Since them Tamani has gone from strength to strength, shifting from centre to wing and producing an impressive highlight reel in the Academy League last season, as well as turning out for England at Under-19s. Reed said: “Charlie has a great ability to beat defenders; not only is he very quick, but he’s also very powerful, and we’ve seen that across the Academy League. He’s also a good character and someone who, given the right professional environment here at Saints, should kick on well in the future.” Photo: Northampton Saints