George Furbank has extended his contract with boyhood side Northampton Saints after coming through their academy as a youngster.
He joins the likes of Alex Coles, another Saints graduate that has elected to stick around in the midlands, despite many English players currently heading to other nations to ply their trade.
“I am thrilled to be extending my contract with the Club that I’ve been supporting since I was a young lad,” Furbank said.
“From progressing through the Academy here at Saints, to playing my 100th game in Black, Green and Gold, it’s been a true honour to do what I love whilst also representing Northampton – and I am grateful that is set to continue.
“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. The Northampton supporter-base is unbelievable and the feeling of running out to a packed-out cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens will always be special for me.”
Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, added:
“Furbs is playing the best rugby of his career at the moment,” “He has a special knack of being able to create space for other people, whether he’s at fullback 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. He’s brilliant at connecting the group, pushing everyone in the right direction, as well as challenging and communicating with the coaches too.
“He’s in a real purple patch of form at the moment, and I know he’s still got ambitions to play more international rugby with England. The way he’s playing, and the fact that he covers two of rugby’s integral positions, means that he’ll always be there or thereabouts when it comes to international selection.
“Last summer, he came back in for preseason really driven, full of maturity, and desperate to kick on. You can see all that now in how well he’s playing, so we’re thrilled to keep him here with us in Northampton.”
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