Foden, Day, Haywood and Elliott sign new Saints contracts

The club announced the new deals on Wednesday, and it is great news for director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

Foden and Day have both been at the Saints since 2008, and played major roles in the club winning the Aviva Premiership title, multiple European Challenge Cup trophies and the LV= Cup, as well as playing in a Heineken Cup final.

Full-back Foden has played 174 times for Saints, scoring 46 tries, and he has also won 34 England caps during his stint in Northampton.

Second row forward Day has turned out in the black, green and gold 175 times, and is regarded as one of the best lineout exponents in the country.

Hooker Haywood, who is 24, and Elliott, 23, are both graduates of the club’s Academy, and have both passed the 100-appearance mark for the club, with Elliott managing that milestone in last Friday’s Champions Cup draw with Racing 92.

Elliott was scorer of the Aviva Premiership try of the season in 2014/15, and the winger has also achieved England Under-20 honours and played in multiple finals for Saints.

Haywood made his first team debut in September 2011, and made his 100th appearance in the LV= Cup semi-final at Saracens in March 2015. He started in both the successful Aviva Premiership and European Challenge Cup finals in 2014, along with the 2014 LV= Cup final and the 2011 World Rugby Under-20 Championship final.

Mallinder believes Haywood and Elliott can be at the heart of the club’s squad for years to come, and says the experience of Foden and Day will ensure the standards are set for others at the club.

“Having players like Mikey and Jamie come through the Academy system to become important members of the first team squad is very pleasing,” said Mallinder.

“It is a good indicator of the outstanding work that is being done by our coaches across the region.

“They have shown time and again that they have the quality to succeed at the highest level, and we’re looking forward to seeing them develop even further over the next few years.

“Meanwhile we’re also delighted that Ben and Christian have signed new contracts to stay at Franklin’s Gardens.

“As two of our most experienced players they help set the standards for others, both on and off the field, and they have played important roles in our recent successes.”