Northampton Saints today announce that Sam Graham and Elliot Millar Mills will leave the Club at the conclusion of the current campaign. Back row Graham has amassed 63 appearances so far for the men in Black, Green and Gold, scoring eight tries along the way, while tighthead prop Millar Mills has represented Northampton on 45 occasions to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth Sam and Elliot have made significant contributions to our environment,\u201d said Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.<\/p>\n
\u201cSam came in from Doncaster and has grown immensely; he\u2019s now one of the most effective and consistent back\u2011row operators in the league, playing a key role in our PREM title win. Despite a significant long\u2011term injury last season, he showed his character by attacking his rehab diligently, and he is now back to his best again.<\/p>\n
\u201cSam\u2019s leadership qualities are also clear to see, and he has helped set standards for the group throughout his time here at Saints. He has become a true Saintsman and brilliant person to have in the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile Elliot\u2019s story is unique. After the demise of Wasps he nearly fell out of the game, initially joining us on trial, but he departs the Club as a Scotland international. We\u2019re proud of his progress; he has become a prop who is effective all over the park, fitting well with how we want to play the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank both Sam and Elliot for their contribution to Saints and wish them well for what comes next, but for now both are committed to everything we are building towards with this group of Saints for the remainder of the 2025\/26 season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Graham joined Saints in the summer of 2022 from Doncaster Knights, making his debut against Sale Sharks.<\/p>\n
He quickly established himself across the flanker and No.8 positions, making more appearances than any other Saint during the Club\u2019s 2023\/24 Gallagher PREM title\u2011winning season, and scoring a memorable match-winning try against Munster at Thomond Park in the Investec Champions Cup.<\/p>\n
Graham\u2019s leadership ability has also seen him captain Northampton on several occasions in the PREM Rugby Cup competition, and after sustaining a major knee injury in October 2024, he completed a long and diligent rehabilitation to return to action this term in strong form.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy time at Saints has been really special,\u201d said Graham. \u201cComing in from a Champ club to an environment like this was a dream come true, and since then we\u2019ve won a PREM title and created some amazing memories \u2013 being part of that group and that journey is something I\u2019ll always treasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast season\u2019s injury obviously wasn\u2019t a highlight, but it made getting back onto the field this term even more meaningful. I\u2019m so grateful for the support the Club invested in me throughout my recovery, and for everyone who helped me come back stronger. That\u2019s been the theme of my time here \u2013 people across the whole Club, on and off the pitch, investing in me and helping me grow as a player and a person.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve loved my time at Saints, but it feels like the right moment to take the next step. That said, I still feel I\u2019ve got plenty left to give. We\u2019re in a great position in the PREM and in Europe, and I\u2019m fully focused on contributing everything I can to this group and making a few more memories before I\u2019m done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Millar Mills, meanwhile, initially arrived at cinch Stadium at Franklin\u2019s Gardens on trial following Wasps\u2019 administration, later signing ahead of the 2023\/24 season.<\/p>\n
The mobile tighthead went on to feature prominently across domestic and European competitions, including off the bench in the PREM Final victory over Bath.<\/p>\n
His performances earned him international recognition with Scotland, making his Test debut during the 2024 Six Nations and adding further caps the following season.<\/p>\n
Millar Mills said: \u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful to Saints for the opportunity they gave me at a time when things were pretty uncertain in my career. Walking through the doors here and being welcomed the way I was is something I\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve made some brilliant memories in Black, Green and Gold, and I\u2019m proud of how far I\u2019ve come during my time at the Club. For now, my focus is fully on helping the lads finish this season as strongly as possible. I\u2019m committed to giving everything for the group for the remainder of my time here.\u201d<\/p>\n
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