Downey staying with Saints
Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:34
Northampton Saints on Friday announced that James Downey will be staying at Franklin's Gardens.
In doing so, the 28-year-old centre becomes the seventh Saint to re-affirm his commitment to the club by putting pen to paper in recent weeks.
Downey has been the lynchpin of the midfield since he arrived in 2007, making 73 appearances and scoring seven tries. The Irishman has developed his game during his time with Saints, where he adds great value in the midfield with his notable defence prowess.
"I think I've come up a lot under Jim, Dorian and Paul and I've grown with all the players around me," he said in a statement.
"They trust the players to make decisions on the field and with quick lads out wide we can get the ball out to them or keep it tight. A lot of the other guys have got better as well.
"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.
"We're playing big teams and that's where we want to be, winning some silverware."
A European Challenge Cup winner in 2009, Downey also won the Churchill Cup with Ireland 'A' later that summer, which he said was a bonus on what had happened at club level.
"Our outside backs have been receiving the headlines, but they cannot function if the guys like James don't do their work in midfield," said director of rugby 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."
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