Tonga'uiha to stay with Saints

Tongan international front-row forward Tonga'uiha had announced in January he would be leaving the Saints to join the Watford-based club.

However, he has now agreed a new three-year contract to remain at Franklin's Gardens, stating: "I'm very happy to sign again with Saints."

He continued: "The success of the club over the last few months has been a big thing to be a part of and very enjoyable.

"The coaches and the fitness department have worked hard and this played a massive part in me deciding to stay. We're also very settled in the area as a family, which means a lot to me as well.

"We're a team that plays for each other and we stick together on and off the pitch. We're still on the up. Hopefully we've got a chance of getting some more medals this season and I think that the club will be achieving great things in the future. We're going places, setting targets and aiming for silverware, but still taking it one game at a time."

Saints chief executive Allan Robson commenteed: "Once he had made this known to us and he was able to confirm that in fact he had not signed a contract with Saracens and was free to sign with Saints we did not hesitate to offer him a deal to keep him at Saints for the next three seasons.

"Like everyone at the club I am delighted he is staying with us. Since he arrived Soane has been very popular with the fans and I am confident that he will continue to be a big player for Jim Mallinder and the coaches.

"His decision is a boost for the whole club as we enter the crucial last weeks of this season and build for the future."