Saints could be handed shock George Furbank boost

Northampton director of rugby, Phil Dowson, has refused to rule out George Furbank for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup quarter-final tie at home to Castres.

Saints’ captain has returned to full training and while the Newcastle game in the Premiership on April 18th looks like his most likely comeback game, Dowson says his availability for this weekend depends on whether he can take full contact by the end of the week.

Furbank has been sidelined since fracturing an arm in the Champions Cup win over the Bulls in mid-December, which caused the 28-year-old to miss England’s Six Nations campaign.

“He trained today (Tuesday). He’s on Level 1 tackling, which is tackling Sam Vesty. He’ll get onto Level 2, where he has to tackle people who can actually run with the ball. We just need to get him back into contact; he’s started off low key and he’ll build up to Juarno (Augustus) by the end of the week.

“He’s got the chance of making Newcastle, and there is a possibility of this weekend.”

Saints beat Castres 38-8 in the pool stages of this year’s competition and are favourites to book a semi-final against the winners of the Friday night tie between Leinster, last year’s last-four opponents, and Glasgow.

However, Dowson says he’s not reading too much into that game back in December when powerhouse number eight Augustus bagged a brace of tries.

“Obviously, the French clubs have big squads, so it’ll be interesting to see who they select for us this weekend. We have played a Castres side, but I am not sure we have played the Castres side that will tip up on Saturday afternoon,” Dowson remarked.

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Meanwhile, after confirming the departure of Tom Seabrook, Tarek Haffar, and Reuben Logan, Saints have confirmed the signing of Italian international prop Danilo Fischetti.

The 27-year-old earned his 50th international cap for Italy during this year’s Six Nations against France, and Fischetti also boasts more than a half-century of appearances for United Rugby Championship side Zebre – where he is currently club captain.

“Danilo was very much the standout candidate when we looked around at loosehead props to boost our front row options next season,” Dowson said.

“He’s an Italian international, captain of his current club, and has experience of playing in the Premiership before from his London Irish days – when he showed he was really capable in this league.

“We loved Danilo’s ability at set piece. He has raw power and athleticism and has had plenty of experience at international level against some of the best scrums in world.

“We think he has a huge amount to offer in the loose as well, both in attack and defence, and we are confident we can continue to help him improve so he can have even greater impacts on games. He’ll be a huge asset for us, in terms of being really competitive with some of our other outstanding looseheads as well.

“Danilo also comes with rave reviews from coaches that have worked with him in the past, such as [former Saint] Jon Fisher who coached him at Irish. Danilo himself impressed us hugely when we spoke to him, as he’s ambitious and really wants to have another crack in the Premiership.

“It’s really satisfying to be able to bring in a player of international calibre who is still coming into his prime at 27 years old.

“When I spoke to him personally, he is still really driven, and I still think he has loads to get out of his game, and I think he’ll suit the way we want to play.

“Obviously, I am sad to lose Tarek, but Danilo will be a quality addition to the squad, and I am excited to get him in.”

Fischetti added: “The opportunity to play for Northampton is incredible. I enjoyed watching the team win the Premiership title last year, and repeating that is a huge target for me – I am coming here to try to win trophies.”