Tom Litchfield: Northampton Saints extend contract of centre

Tom Litchfield has made 12 appearances for Northampton Saints this season

Northampton centre Tom Litchfield has extended his contract with Saints.

The academy graduate has played 33 times for the club, appearing on the wing as well as in midfield.

The 21-year-old has made 12 appearances for the Premiership leaders this season and scored the match-winning try at Gloucester in December.

"There's no better place to be in the Premiership right now, and I'm excited to see what's to come," he told the club website.

"Not only do Saints have a huge opportunity to do well this season, and hopefully challenge for some silverware, but we're building something really special for the years to come too."

The England Under-20s international played junior rugby for Bedford Blues and has also been on loan at his hometown club in the past three seasons as part of Saints' partnership with the Championship club.

"He has worked very hard and continues to get better and better, becoming more and more his own person on the pitch," Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said.

"When we've had some injuries this season, he's played some games out of position, but he has learned an awful lot from that and from getting more game-time, stacking up a lot of minutes across both the Premiership and Champions Cup."