International back row signs new contract at Northampton Saints

The 27-year-old flanker arrived from Super Rugby outfit Melbourne Rebels in the summer of 2024 and made an instant impact in Black, Green and Gold. Kemeny crossed the whitewash six times in 21 appearances during his first campaign with the Club, quickly establishing himself as a key figure in the Saints back row.

His debut season culminated in an Investec Champions Cup runners-up medal, with Kemeny starting the Final in Cardiff against Union Bordeaux Bègles. A series of eye-catching performances were also recognised at the Club’s 2024/25 awards evening, where he was named both Players’ Player of the Season and Coaches’ Player of the Season.

After an injury delayed his involvement at the start of the current campaign, the Australian has returned in emphatic fashion. He scored in each of his last two appearances against Vodacom Bulls and Sale Sharks, with the latter try featuring a dazzling, side-stepping finish from outside the 22 that highlighted his power and explosiveness.

“I feel like I am just getting started here at Saints,” Kemeny said. “I feel like I have improved as a player since being here and I have been a part of some incredibly exciting fixtures.

“My welcome into the Club, and into the town, was amazing. From the boys in the squad and the coaching staff to the wider community and everyone connected to Saints, I don’t think I could have been made to feel more at home. That’s been a massive factor in my decision to stay.

“It’s definitely hard being away from my family in Australia, but they’ve also been the ones telling me this is the right place for me and that I shouldn’t go anywhere, because Northampton is a special place too.

“On an individual level, I’m really focused on improving and bettering my ability to perform well here for Saints, and also to strive for international honours.

“We have a clear goal to win silverware in Europe and in the PREM. The boys are ambitious; ambitious to win, and ambitious to raise a trophy again.”

Kemeny’s rugby journey began at Cranbrook School in Sydney, where his performances earned him selection for New South Wales Schools before he went on to represent Australia at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in France in 2018.

Alongside studying for a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management, he played a pivotal role in helping Sydney University claim back-to-back Shute Shield titles. Those displays led to a move to Melbourne Rebels, where he made 39 Super Rugby appearances prior to his switch to Northampton.

Standing at 6’4’’ and weighing 110kg, Kemeny earned his first senior Wallabies cap off the bench against Argentina during the 2023 Rugby Championship, before featuring again against Portugal in the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, who has already overseen new contracts for players including Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, Alex Coles and Fraser Dingwall, is pleased to secure Kemeny’s future at the Club.

He said: “Josh is a fantastic athlete, conscientious and incredibly professional, who really wants to push himself to get to the very top level.

“In terms of the set-piece, he’s a brilliant lineout operator and very explosive in getting up into the air. Then all over the park he’s extremely physical, making big collisions with exceptional tackle technique and athleticism, while with ball-in-hand he has a point of difference too as everyone saw with that try against Sale Sharks.

“The draw for him to go home was huge, with his family over there, but he wants to push on here in Northampton to compete for silverware for Saints and also challenge for international recognition with Australia as well.

“We’re building something special by keeping this group of outstanding players together, so we’re thrilled that Josh is the latest to commit to Saints for the long-term.”