George Furbank re-signs for Northampton Saints

GEORGE FURBANK RE-SIGNS FOR NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

George Furbank has committed his future to Northampton Saints, with the Club today confirming the fullback has penned a new deal.

After rising through the ranks with Huntingdon RFC and Saints’ Academy system, 27-year-old Furbank has now captained his boyhood Club and represented England on the international stage, making 110 appearances in Black, Green and Gold in his seven seasons to date with Saints.

And the fullback – who is also comfortable at fly-half – is delighted to be remaining in Northampton for the foreseeable future.

“I am thrilled to be extending my contract with the Club that I’ve been supporting since I was a young lad,” he 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.”

Furbank announced himself with a try-scoring debut against Exeter Chiefs in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2017, and would make 18 appearances in a breakthrough campaign the following season – when he helped Northampton reach the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals and lift the Premiership Rugby Cup at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

The fullback cemented his place in Saints’ starting line-up in 2019/20, with his stellar performances also putting the fullback on the international radar, leading to a call-up to England’s senior squad and a Test debut against France in the 2020 Six Nations.

Furbank has since added a further five England caps to his tally, most recently featuring in the 2022 Six Nations campaign, and brought up a century of appearances in Black, Green and Gold earlier this season, hitting the milestone as he led the side out against Bath Rugby in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

“Furbs is playing the best rugby of his career at the moment,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson. “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.”