Sam Matavesi Thanks Royal Navy After Signing New Deal At Northampton Saints

Royal Navy rugby union star Sam Matavesi has signed a contract extension with Premiership club Northampton Saints.

The new deal will see the hooker stay in Northampton for the 2021/22 season and beyond, the club announced.

In an interview on Northampton Saints' social media accounts, the 29-year-old Fiji international thanked the Royal Navy for its continued support in his rugby career.

He said: "I think all the thanks have to be pointed their [the Navy's] way. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be getting this opportunity.

"All credit to everyone at the Navy – Alan Church and all the people at the department who help me out.

"A massive thanks."

Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints, Chris Boyd, said: "Sam is a popular member of our group and we've been thrilled with his development since he joined the club.

"He works hard, gives a good balance to our front row, and he is someone who still has plenty of improvement in him – so of course we're thrilled to extend his contract.

"We have an exciting crop of hookers in our squad who are all pushing each other to improve every day, and Sam has taken his opportunity in recent months and performed well as a starter.

"He is starting to fulfil his huge potential, and we're confident that will continue in the coming years," he added.

Matavesi, who has made 27 appearances and scored three tries for Saints since arriving from Championship side Cornish Pirates in December 2019, also thanked the Navy on his Twitter account.