Northampton sign Falcons skipper Chick for next season

Callum Chick made his Premiership debut for Newcastle in the 2016-17 season

Northampton Saints have signed Newcastle Falcons captain Callum Chick ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The 28-year-old number eight will join the European Champions Cup finalists after making more than 150 appearances for his boyhood club.

He is the second forward to agree a move to Saints for next season following last month's signing of Italy prop Danilo Fischetti.

"I have aspirations to get more England caps, and in order to do that, I feel like I have experienced something new," said Chick.

"Northampton feels like a perfect move for me. I enjoy the brand of rugby, and they have some great coaches and players.

"The standard at Northampton across the board is great, but in particular the back row has got some fantastic players. I am looking forward to learning from them and putting that into my game. Competition for positions brings the best out of everyone, and, for myself, that is something I am looking forward to."

Chick, who won two international caps in 2021 against the USA and Canada, has started all 15 of Newcastle's Premiership games this season.

And he is in the league's top 10 for post-contact metres made (173, fifth), turnovers won (12, eighth) and carries (217, 10th).

"We initially spoke to Callum a few years ago and were impressed with him then. At that stage, he decided to stay in Newcastle, and that loyalty speaks volumes about him – the way he's captained that side and had a huge impact there with the way he plays and how he has led in that environment," said Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson.

"We were in the market for a ball-carrying back row, and Callum's got those attributes in spades; his ball-carrying and ability to move the ball, then there are his defensive hits, which we saw recently when we played against Newcastle."

'Old-school' Chick's a good leader

Chick's imminent departure is a further blow for Newcastle, as another one of their homegrown talents leaves Kingston Park.

With the future of the club uncertain as they chase fresh investment, Chick waited as long as possible before finally opting for pastures new.

While admitting that it is a blow to lose his skipper, consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond had nothing but kind words for Chick.

"Callum is a very good leader of men, and the qualities that he has, he is an assistant coach on the field in a lot of ways," he said.

"He holds a lot of respect within the group. A plethora of clubs were after him, and I think he's chosen the correct one.

"The one thing about Callum is that he's durable. He's an old-school rugby player in his mindset; he'll play at 90% fit. The days have gone when you get many lads like that.

"In the dark times in November, January, February, when it's pouring with rain and no one wants to go out, he's there at training first. He's highly thought of here, and he always will be."