Northampton Saints have today announced the signings of props Elliot Millar Mills and Beltus Nonleh ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Millar Mills, 30, arrives at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens after spells with United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh Rugby and Gallagher Premiership rivals Bath Rugby last season, having started the campaign with Wasps before the club went into administration.
The 121kg tighthead joined Wasps in the summer of 2021 and made 21 appearances in all competitions, having previously turned out 44 times for Ealing Trailfinders in three seasons in the Championship – winning the Championship Cup with the West London outfit in 2019.
Millar Mills began his playing career with Stockport and Macclesfield, before a successful trial period with Leeds Carnegie yielded a full-time contract and an initial move north of the border to Edinburgh.
He also appeared for England Counties in Canada in 2016, becoming the third member of his family to earn international recognition (after older sisters Bridget and Harriet, who represented Scotland and England Women respectively), and featured for the Barbarians in the autumn of 2022 against Bath and Northampton.
Meanwhile, Nonleh joins Saints from Sedgley Park having been one of the standout performers this term as the Tigers romped to the National League Two North title.
The 22-year-old tighthead – who moved to the UK from Cameroon in 2008 – begun his rugby career at Rochdale and represented both Lancashire and North of England at age group level before stepping up the ladder to Sedgley Park, and Nonleh was named National League Two North tighthead of the season for the 2022/23 campaign.
“Elliot came in on trial with us at the end of the season and we were really impressed with how he seamlessly slotted into the playing group, and by his attitude towards improving his own game,” said Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
“He had a tough season last year after Wasps went into administration, moving around a few clubs which is not easy, but his attitude is fantastic and his experience of playing in the Premiership will be important for us next season.
“We believe Beltus could be something of a rough diamond; he’s obviously stepping up a few levels from the National League but based on his size, power, and excellent attitude, he has all the tools he needs to succeed at the top table of English rugby.
“At Saints we have a great record of bringing players in from lower down the ladder and developing them into Premiership players. Beltus is just 22 and has a lot of learning to do, but with Matt Ferguson and our other coaches looking after him, we are confident he can make a big impact in Black, Green and Gold over the years to come.”