Downey has made 73 appearances for Saints and scored seven tries

Northampton Saints centre James Downey has signed a new deal.

The 28-year-old Ireland A international is the seventh Saints player to agree a longer deal at the club.

He told the club website: "I think I've come up a lot under Jim, Dorian and Paul and I've grown with all the players around me.

"You can always improve. This is only our second year back in the Premiership, and as the young lads get older we can only get better."

He added: "We're playing big teams and that's where we want to be, winning some silverware."

Downey has been at Franklin's Gardens since 2007, winning the European Challenge Cup in 2009 and the Churchill Cup with Ireland A in the same year.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Our outside backs have been receiving the headlines, but they cannot function if the guys like James don't do their work in midfield.

James has been one of the most consistent players in the squad since he joined us Northampton Saints director Jim Mallinder

"James puts in plenty of hard yards in attack and defence, and has been one of the most consistent players in the squad since he joined us.

"He is a person who thrives on competition, and he has increased his performance level time and again to keep his place in the first team.

"He has improved a lot in his time here and I believe there is more to come, which is why I am delighted that James is staying with us."

Meanwhile, four members of the Saints senior academy have been dual-registered with Championship clubs for the closing weeks of the season.

Centre Grant Anderson and scrum-half John Brake will play for Birmingham & Solihull, fly-half Christian Lewis-Pratt has linked up with Nottingham and centre Nick Greenhalgh can appear for Exeter Chiefs.

All four players will remain available for Northampton if required.

"The Championship is more competitive than ever this season," said Mallinder. "Our players will benefit from playing in it during the next few weeks.

"It will also be good for us to see how they cope with match situations in an unfamiliar environment."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version