Callum Chick Shines for Northampton Saints After Decade at Newcastle
Callum Chick, the 29-year-old back-rower and former England international capped in 2021, has become a key contributor to Northampton Saints following his move from Newcastle last summer after a decade with the club. Northampton have started the season strongly, topping several dominant team metrics such as carries, tackles, and contacts, with Chick's high work rate singled out by coach Phil Dowson.
Chick's chasing effort was pivotal in the recent Bath win, where his pressure led to a late turnover and a try-scoring sequence finished by Pollock, set up by Hendy after Arundell's threat. Dowson highlighted Chick's work rate as a model for the squad, showing footage of him sprinting back to chase lost causes and emphasizing that this is a trained skill, not luck.
Reflecting on his move, Chick cited his England caps and the hard edge of Northampton's pack as major reasons for pursuing new ambitions. He described the cultural shift from football-dominated Newcastle to Northampton, where he has settled well thanks to support from fellow Geordie teammate Trevor Davison. Chick enjoys simple pleasures like coffee and sauna sessions and appreciates Northampton's friendly fans who warmly welcome him on matchdays.
Northampton are focusing on squad rotation and depth to maintain freshness for a long season that includes knockout rugby stages. Dowson rests players regularly to ensure competitive readiness for both domestic and European competitions. Following their win against Bath, Northampton are preparing to host Harlequins at Franklin's Gardens, aiming to sustain their top form as they approach the knockout phase.
