Northampton Saints today confirm that the 2025/26 campaign will be George Furbank’s final season in Black, Green and Gold.
The 29-year-old fullback, who has been Club Captain since September 2024, will conclude a ten-season senior career at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens before joining Harlequins at the end of June.
Furbank initially progressed through Saints’ Academy pathway system, signing his first professional contract in 2016 and making his senior debut in November 2017 against Exeter Chiefs in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
A Gallagher PREM debut followed the following term, when Furbank made his first-team breakthrough. Since then, the fullback has gone on to make 140 appearances so far for Saints, scoring 283 points along the way, while also earning 14 England caps following his Test debut in the 2020 Six Nations.
Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “George is an outstanding player of exceptional talent and character who has made a significant contribution to our success in recent years. His journey from the Academy to Club Captain epitomises what Northampton Saints is all about.
“He’s also a brilliant leader, always putting the team first and thinking deeply about how to communicate with and get the best out of our group.
“One of the biggest challenges for this Club is retaining a squad full of homegrown talent season after season. The more successful we are at developing players, the more interest they attract from elsewhere.
“Squad retention isn’t just about the next 12 months – it’s a long-term process that requires us to balance a number of factors including performance, the salary cap, and succession planning over several years, and that inevitably creates some difficult decisions.
“George had other competitive offers to weigh against ours, and ultimately he chose a different path. That’s part of professional rugby, and while naturally we’re disappointed to see him move on, we respect his decision and support him fully.
“George is a top man who cares profoundly about Saints, and I know this wasn’t a decision he took lightly. He remains fully committed to helping the team perform at the highest level possible this season, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure his final campaign is a successful one. When the time comes, we’ll wish him all the best for the future.”
Furbank played a key role in Saints’ Gallagher PREM title-winning 2023/24 campaign, when he scored more points (with seven tries and 39 points off the tee) than in any of his other eight full seasons with Northampton.
His leadership qualities also shone through that term as he captained the side on 12 occasions, although unfortunately his first season as appointed Club Captain in 2024/25 was limited to just nine appearances following an arm break in the Champions Cup win away at Vodacom Bulls in December 2024.
The 29-year-old recovered fully and has made 11 appearances so far this term, and is primed for the run-in to the end of his final season as a Saint.
“I grew up supporting the Club and dreaming of becoming a Saint, so to have spent ten seasons here and to have captained this team has been a huge honour for me,” said Furbank.
“I’ve been lucky enough to live out a boyhood dream, and I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve experienced in Black, Green and Gold.
“I’ve made some unbelievable memories along the way – from coming through the Academy and making my debut, to playing alongside and learning from some incredible teammates, coaches and staff who have all played a massive part in my journey.
“Winning the PREM title with Saints will always be one of the most special days of my life, and something I’ll carry with me forever.
“This was a really difficult decision to make. I’ve given everything to Saints over the last ten years, and I’ll continue to do exactly that until my final match for Northampton.
“The supporters have made every moment here special for me – they’re unreal week in, week out – and from now until the end of the season my focus is on doing everything I can to help us finish on a high note together.”