Northampton Saints: England ace lands key role following George Furbank departure
Fraser Dingwall (left) has replaced George Furbank (right) as Northampton Saints captain
Northampton Saints have named England centre Fraser Dingwall as their new club captain, ahead of the upcoming PREM Rugby season.
The move comes following the departure of fellow England international George Furbank, who has joined league rivals Harlequins for the upcoming campaign.
Fraser Dingwall named Northampton Saints captain for 2026/27 PREM season
The 27-year-old, who has already acted as match-day captain for Northampton, has spent the entirety of his career in the Saints set-up. Joining the academy at the age of 13, he rose up the ranks to make his senior debut in 2018 against Leicester Tigers.
In the time since, he has gone on to make 168 appearances for the Saints in all competitions, and helped the club win the PREM title last season and reach the Investec Champions Cup final.
His form has also seen him drafted into the Test picture, with Dingwall winning 10 England caps at the time of writing.
Commenting on his new role, the back said: “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be asked to captain the club. When you look at the list of players who’ve done it before, it’s incredibly special to be part of that group.
“My connection to Saints runs deep. I first came here as a young supporter with my family, then joined the Academy at 13 and have been part of the club ever since. To come all the way through that pathway and now be named club captain means a lot to me.
“I’ve been fortunate to watch and then play alongside some great leaders. Guys like Dylan Hartley, Alex Waller, Tom Wood and Teimana Harrison set the standard. Then Lewis Ludlam and George Furbank are two players I came through the system with, and learned a huge amount from.
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“We’ve already got a strong leadership group within the squad and I’m looking forward to working alongside them. Players like Josh Kemeny, Callum Chick, Alex Coles and Fin Smith are obvious examples, but it’s equally important that we continue creating opportunities for new leaders to emerge.
“Leadership isn’t down to one person. Having strong voices throughout the squad helps drive the team forward and creates an environment where everyone takes responsibility for our standards and performance.
“To our supporters, I’d just like to say thank you. Having grown up watching this team, I know how much this club means to you. Your support makes a huge difference to us, and we have a responsibility to represent you in a way that makes you proud.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to create more great memories and enjoy more success together, and I can’t wait to get this season started.”
Northampton director of rugby, Phil Dowson, added: “We’re really pleased for Fraser. He’s come right through our system, having supported the club as a youngster before joining our Academy, and it’s always special to see someone with that connection to Saints take on this responsibility.
“Over the last couple of seasons, he’s stepped up and shown exactly the qualities you want from a captain. He’s led the team on a number of occasions when George [Furbank] was unavailable, and the way he handled those opportunities made him the standout choice for us.
“He’s highly respected by the playing group, but what stands out as much is the way he carries himself away from the field. He’s thoughtful, intelligent and has built strong relationships across the entire club, from the players and coaches through to the wider staff.
“We’ve always believed in developing leaders throughout our squad, and Fraser’s journey is a great example of that. He’s grown into an influential voice within the group and I know he’ll continue to help bring other leaders through around him.
“The captaincy is never about one person, and Fraser will have a strong group of players alongside him. He and the rest of the squad are excited about what lies ahead, and we’re all looking forward to getting started again.”