James Craig has penned a new deal at Northampton © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: James Craig

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints have confirmed that versatile forward James Craig has signed a new contract.

Craig is equally adept at both lock and the back-row and has played 18 times for the Saints. But he is yet to play for the team this season as he is sidelined through injury.

But despite his injury, the Saints have rewarded him with a new deal. "It has been a bit frustrating for me in terms of injuries this year, but I'm glad that the coaches have seen past that and seen my potential for the future," Craig said. "Being a part of the Saints has been a great experience, and hopefully I can get back into the matchday 23 when I get back to fitness.

"Settling into the club has been a steady transition and I feel very much at home here now. It's a great set of lads, a good crowd, good coaches, and you can't say more than that. Looking forward I know I need to break into the first team. It's going to be hard; we've got quality players across the back five forwards, including a lot of England internationals, but I'm determined to keep improving as much as I can."

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder added: "James is a talented player who has shown already that he has the ability to compete at the top end of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table. He can play both in the second row and on the flank, and you need that kind of positional flexibility in the squad.

"We're very happy that James has signed a new contract with us so early in the season and we're looking forward to him continuing his development at Franklin's Gardens."