Long made over 100 appearances for Newcastle before his move to Saints

Northampton Saints' front rowers Andy Long and Regardt Dreyer have signed new contracts with the club.

Long, 32, arrived at Franklin's Gardens last November while Dreyer, 27, is half way through his second season with the team.

Saints director Jim Mallinder told the club's website: "It is always important to have plenty of depth for the front row positions.

"They have considerable experience and have put in some good performances."

Long, who has two England caps, made his Saints debut in the LV= Cup trip to Sale Sharks in January and has made nine appearances in all.

"When I got here I wanted to get myself a longer contract, to settle in and impress," he said.

The supporters have made Northampton a great club to play for Andy Long

"That's happened and I'm over the moon.

"The Saints is comfortably the best set-up I've been involved in. It's a joy to go training every day.

"There are big games every weekend and our frame of mind is to approach it that way. Everyone in the squad is challenging each other to improve their performances every week to achieve that.

"The supporters have also made Northampton a great club to play for. Home and away they are there every week and are a hundred percent behind you."

I want to keep getting more game time, building on what I've already achieved Regardt Dreyer

Dreyer, a loosehead prop, joined from Currie Cup outfit The Griquas in November 2008.

"The knowledge I have got from Nick Johnston and the fitness teams has changed me physically," he said.

"Working with Dorian West and playing with guys like Soane Tonga'uiha, Euan Murray and Brian Mujati has improved me a lot," he said.

"I want to keep getting more game time, building on what I've already achieved and becoming a better player."

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