The Cornish Pirates are pleased to announce that hooker James Fish has been signed on a dual-registration agreement with Premiership club Northampton Saints.

A member of the Saints Senior Academy, the 21-year-old first played rugby at Derby, aged eight, whilst he later developed his game as a Sixth form student at Trent College, during which he was a NatWest Vase winner at Twickenham in 2014.

James has also earned international honours, representing England Under 16s South before representing England Under 18s on tour to South Africa in 2014.

Breaking into Northampton’s first team squad last season, he made his debut against Newcastle Falcons in November before scoring twice during the Anglo-Welsh Cup fixture against Scarlets.

The hooker also helped Northampton’s ‘Wanderers’ side lift the 2017 Aviva 'A' League trophy, after defeating Gloucester United in the final.

Cornish Pirates’ co-coaches Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver are delighted to welcome the new arrival on board, and Alan has commented: “Arriving from Northampton with a reputation as an up and coming hooker, the dual-registration provides James with a great opportunity to develop his game here in Cornwall, besides bolstering our front-row with a third hooker.

“The mutual benefit will definitely be handy for all of us going forward, so we welcome him to the Cornish Pirates family and wish him all success for the future.”