Gallagher Premiership Rugby: George Furbank 'thrilled' to sign Northampton Saints contract extension

George Furbank has signed a new deal to extend his stay at Gallagher Premiership Rugby side Northampton Saints.

Furbank, 27, has made 110 appearances in seven seasons for the Saints and has represented the senior England international side six times.

The full-back has been instrumental for Northampton this season and admitted he was delighted to remain at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I am thrilled to be extending my contract with the Club that I’ve been supporting since I was a young lad,” Furbank told the club's website.

He added: “My decision to stay here was an easy one, and a large part of that is because of the group of players and staff we have at the Club. Every day I find myself both working hard and having a laugh with some of my best mates, and I am lucky enough to call that my job.

“The coaching team have cultivated an environment which consistently pushes us to develop, and that has moulded me into the player I have become. I have loved becoming a leader in this squad, alongside a lot of lads who I have grown up playing with, and I feel there are exciting things to come for us.

“I witnessed Saints’ Premiership victory in 2014 as a fan, so I’m desperate to be part of a squad that can emulate that, and I really believe we are heading in the right direction.”

Furbank is the fourth player in the last four days to pen a contract extension with the Saints, following Alex Coles, Tom James and Fraser Dingwall.

He scored a try on his debut against Exeter Chiefs back in 2017 and went on to establish himself as a regular starter in the Saints’ starting line-up.

As he continued to flourish, he caught the attention of international selectors and made his England Test debut against France in the 2020 Six Nations before going on to earn a further five caps.

Northampton sit top of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table after 10 games and have won six games on the bounce, beating Sale Sharks 21-17 last time out from 14-down.

Furbank, deputising at captain, was the catalyst in the comeback, scoring a try of his own and forcing referee Matthew Carley to award a penalty try after a quick tap-penalty.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson praised Furbank for the impact he has had and for adding extra dimensions to his game this season.

“Furbs is playing the best rugby of his career at the moment,” Downson said. “He has a special knack of being able to create space for other people, whether he’s at full-back or fly-half.

“He’s always had tonnes of ability on the ball – he’s one of those annoying sportsmen who’s brilliant at everything he tries – but this year he’s added a real physicality and edge to his game.

“George is also becoming a fantastic leader, driving accountability throughout the group, and has stood in as captain extremely well when Lewis Ludlam has been unavailable through injury this season.”

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