James Grayson Bids Farewell to Northampton Saints in Pursuit of Japanese Opportunity

Northampton Saints have officially confirmed that fly-half James Grayson will be departing the club after this weekend’s clash against Exeter Chiefs. The 25-year-old No.10 is set to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan’s Rugby League One, marking the end of an era at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Grayson, the son of former England standoff Paul Grayson, leaves behind a substantial legacy with an impressive 92 appearances for the Black, Green, and Gold. During his tenure, he scored nine tries and made a significant contribution of 572 points off the tee, accumulating a total of 617 points.

Expressing the difficulty of his decision, Grayson stated, “Without a doubt, this was a really difficult decision for me to make. I’ve grown up with a lot of the lads in the playing group. They’re my brothers, and it’s going to be tough to move away, but I’ll cherish every memory I made with them on and off the pitch.”

The decision is primarily driven by Grayson’s desire for more regular playing time to further his rugby career. He emphasized the opportunity in Japan as one he couldn’t turn down and expressed gratitude for the support and camaraderie he experienced at Northampton.

Grayson’s journey with Northampton began in the summer of 2016, progressing through the Academy system before joining the senior squad. His debut in the 2017/18 season opener against Saracens marked the beginning of a stellar career, earning him the Young Player of the Season award.

Phil Dowson, Saints’ Director of Rugby, shared the club’s perspective on Grayson’s departure: “Jimmy’s an incredibly competitive character and wants the chance to show what he can do on the pitch more often. We are confident in the cover we have at fly-half to allow Jimmy to move on.”

Grayson played a vital role in Northampton Wanderers’ back-to-back Premiership Rugby A League successes in 2017 and 2018. His standout performances earned him the Premiership Rugby Cup’s Breakthrough Player award in the 2018/19 season. He continued to make a significant impact in the 2019/20 season, emerging as the top scorer for the club with an impressive 142 points.

As James Grayson bids farewell to Northampton Saints, the club acknowledges his unwavering professionalism, work ethic, and contributions to the team, wishing him success in his new challenge in Japan.