Northampton Saints sign James Raam

Northampton Saints have signed Australian winger James Raam from the Waratahs for next season.

Ramm, 23, joins Saints from Super Rugby side New South Wales Waratahs, for whom he has made 20 league appearances since making his debut in 2020.

He represented Australia at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2018 and has made senior training squads but is also qualified to play for England.

“I’m thrilled to be signing for Northampton Saints,” said Ramm.

“The Premiership is one of the most competitive leagues in the world and I’m looking forward to getting over there to show the club’s supporters what I can do.”

Ramm came through the Colts system at Randwick – playing in the Shute Shield competition for the Sydney side – before also representing the Sydney Rays in Australia’s National Rugby Championship ahead of joining the Waratahs’ Gen Blue Academy.

He has been named in Dave Rennie’s senior Australia training squads but is yet to make his debut for the Wallabies at Test level,

Ramm is a former gymnast who specialised in floor and vault disciplines, and has been studying for a degree in bio-medical engineering during his playing career in Australia.

Northampton’s director of rugby Phil Dowson added: “James is tall, strong, aggressive and talented under the high ball.

“He’s obviously an impressive athlete given his top-level gymnastics background, but he’s grown into an excellent rugby player.”

Ramm is Saints’ third signing for next season from the same country following deals for lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and loose forward Angus Scott-Young.