Dickens wants to establish a regular first-team place

Northampton scrum-half Alan Dickens has signed a 12-month contract extension.

The 33-year-old has only made eight first-team appearances since joining Saints from Saracens in April 2008.

But director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Alan's skill as a scrum-half, experience and personality has made him an excellent member of our squad.

"He is an outstanding individual who is committed to helping the club improve and I am therefore delighted he has agreed to continue for another season."

Mallinder added: "We have a lot of young players at the Saints such as the other scrum-halves Lee Dickson, Ben Foden and John Brake and Alan both puts pressure on them to perform as well as offering guidance in what is a specialist position."

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to this story

However, Dickens, who began his career with Sale and won a Powergen Cup winner's medal with Leeds Tykes in 2005, said he was focused on establishing a regular place in the first-choice XV.

"The Saints is a club that is going places," he said.

"I still have plenty of ambition to play for the first team and want a starting spot. I will be working hard for the rest of this season and through the summer to try and earn my place in the side."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version