Scotland prop Elliot Millar-Mills has signed a new deal to remain with Northampton Saints.
The 31-year-old prop has made 16 appearances for the club since he signed towards the end of last season.
Millar Mills initially joined Saints during an unsettled season where he represented Edinburgh, Bath and the Barbarians – having started the campaign with Wasps before their demise.
The tighthead made his Scotland debut in the win over Wales in round one of the Six Nations and now has three Test caps. In playing international rugby, he has followed in the footsteps of older sisters Bridget and Harriet, who represented Scotland and England Women respectively.
Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “Elliot’s had an unorthodox journey through rugby.
“He’s played in the Premiership, URC, Championship, and within the National League pyramid as well – and due to some pretty unfortunate circumstances, played for five clubs last season alone.
“It was a brutal year, especially for a guy with a young family. But Elliot is very, very intelligent, picks things up quickly, and has been consistent whenever he’s played for us.
"That’s been rewarded with a few caps for Scotland now and I am so pleased for him to be involved in a successful period with them.
“The big thing for Elliot after last season was that he wanted to put some roots down somewhere and show what he’s capable of.
"He’s grabbed his opportunities with both hands, and to have such a big impact here and then get called up to Scotland as well in just one season in Northampton is really impressive.”
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.
After turning 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 joined Wasps in the summer of 2021 and made 21 appearances in all competitions.
After Wasps’ demise, Millar Mills had short stints with Bath, Edinburgh and the Barbarians before walking through the door at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
He said: “I’m really enjoying the day-to-day at Saints with the group we’ve got here, and the style of play is a lot of fun, so I’m delighted to extend my contract for longer.
“I’ve got a young family who are really settled here in Northampton, and Saints have been so welcoming for them, which makes a huge difference. I also love playing in front of Saints’ crowd – this is a proper rugby club, I’d never experienced a home crowd like it until this season."
While he's still involved with Scotland ahead of the Six Nations finale, he also hopes to play a part as table-topping Northampton target winning silverware this season.
Millar-Mills said: “It’s all still very new and I’ve not given it too much thought, but it’s pretty cool to be able to call myself a Scottish international now.
"I wouldn’t have done it without Saints. That’s not just down to the team and the coaching – this time last year, I didn’t have a job.
“If Saints hadn’t have come in, I might have been done with rugby, so it’s been a remarkable year. I hope we can do something special together by the end of this season.”
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