Josh Kemeny: Northampton Saints agree deal to sign Australia back-rower from 2024-25

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Josh Kemeny in action for Melbourne RebelsImage source, Getty Images
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Josh Kemeny has won two caps for Australia

Premiership leaders Northampton Saints have signed Australia flanker Josh Kemeny from Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels for the 2024-25 season.

Kemeny, 25, has made 27 appearances for the Rebels since joining the club in 2020 and scored four tries in 12 games last term.

He made his Wallabies debut against Argentina in 2023, with a second cap coming during last year's World Cup.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said Kemeny has "huge potential".

"From watching Josh play, the thing that impressed us the most was his athleticism. He's powerful, big and fast, he's a solid lineout option," Dowson said in a club statement., external

"He has a huge desire to get better as a player, which is what we always look for here at Saints, and he was passionate about the idea of challenging himself over here in the Premiership, in what can be a pretty brutal league.

"We're really excited to see what he can do in a Saints shirt next season."

Kemeny called Saints a "top-class operation", adding the club is "really trending in the right direction, putting in some fantastic performances in the Premiership and in Europe".

Northampton have made an excellent start to the season, leading the Premiership by seven points after winning nine of their 12 games before the break for the Six Nations.

Kemeny's arrival will compensate for the loss of England flanker Lewis Ludlam, who is leaving Saints at the end of the season after turning down the offer of a new contract.

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