Saints score two more extensions
Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:05
Northampton Saints have confirmed that flank Ben Lewitt and centre Neil Starling have committed themselves to the club by signing extensions to their contracts.
The 28-year-old Lewitt joined Northampton from neighbours Bedford Blues in the summer of 2005, having also played for the Saints' other East Midland rivals Leicester.
He has represented the Saints in every competition they have played in, including last season's Heineken Cup quarterfinal and semifinal, and reached the 50-appearance mark during the recent National League One match against Nottingham.
This season Lewitt also scored his first tries for the first team and he is looking forward to another two seasons with the Saints.
"I want a good crack at the Premiership," he said.
"I've experienced the top level against Biarritz and London Wasps in the Heineken Cup and want to do that again. Northampton is also my home and I feel very settled here and have a great relationship with the fantastic supporters.
"I'm enjoying working with Jim, Dorian and Paul and think that they are putting together a good squad for next season. There will be some exciting future stars as well as experienced older heads and the competition for places will improve standards. I really feel that the coaches are building something great for the future. I want to be a part of that."
Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder was obviously delighted with the latest developments.
"Ben is a good flank who has come to the fore over the past few matches," said Mallinder.
"He is comfortable with the ball in hand, committed at the breakdown and can read a game effectively. He is also an experienced player and we will need all of these qualities in the Premiership next season."
The 25-year-old Starling arrived at the Saints from Rotherham in 2004 as a member of the club's senior academy and made his first team debut against Bedford Blues in the 2004/05 Powergen Cup. Five more Saints appearances followed, as did an England Sevens trip to Hong Kong.
Unfortunately two major injuries ruled Starling out of first team action for the next two-and-a-half years. But the player repaid the faith the club maintained in him by making a successful return to the team in September 2007 against Plymouth Albion.
This season he had played 17 times in the Saints' successful National League One campaign and run to the EDF Energy National Trophy Final. He has scored 10 tries in all, two of which in the National Trophy semifinal sent the Saints to Twickenham.
Starling is looking forward to repaying the club's commitment to him in the Guinness Premiership.
"The club looked after me during some tough times," he said.
"The coaches kept me in the squad and the physios, especially Dan Lewindon, worked very hard to rehabilitate me. I'd like to thank them for all their efforts and am determined to repay that faith in me.
"The Saints is a great club and I want to help it be a success in the Premiership next season."
"Neil has worked hard to get back from some serious injuries," said Mallinder. "He is a committed member of the squad, who this season he has demonstrated his pace, power and scoring ability as a centre and on the wing. This positional flexibility will be important as we return to the Premiership and I'm happy that Neil has signed his extension."
