Tarek Haffar: Northampton prop signs new deal with Premiership leaders

London-born Tarek Haffar is a former England Under-20 international

Prop Tarek Haffar has become the latest Northampton Saints player to agree a new contract with the club.

The 22-year-old joined Saints in June last year after former club London Irish went into administration.

He has made six appearances this season and was given his first start in the 42-36 Premiership win at Exeter Chiefs on 6 January.

"Everybody here in Northampton is challenging for a spot in the team at the weekend," Haffar said.

"No-one is playing because of who they are or what they have done in the past, you have to work hard and constantly improve for the starting spot, which I love.

"It's been great to learn off the likes of Alex and Ethan Waller, who have both played so many games for the club, while Manny Iyogun is just a year above me and has given me some great advice around making the step up from junior to senior rugby."

England scrum-half Alex Mitchell, George Hendy, Sam Graham, Robbie Smith, Tom James, George Furbank, Alex Coles and Fraser Dingwall have also signed new deals with Saints in recent weeks.

Northampton are top of the Premiership and will resume the league campaign away to Bristol on 22 March, following the conclusion of the Six Nations.

They are also through to the last 16 of the European Champions Cup and will face Munster at home on 7 April for a place in the quarter-finals.