RNAS Culdrose’s Sam Matavesi signs contract extension with Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints have announced that RNAS Culdrose’s Fiji international Logs (SC) Sam Matavesi has signed a contract extension to remain at Franklin’s Gardens.
The 29-year-old has made 27 appearances and scored three tries in Black, Green and Gold to date after joining the Club from Championship outfit Cornish Pirates in December 2019.
This new deal sees Matavesi stay in Northampton for the 2021/22 season and beyond, with the hooker having established himself as a first-team regular this term in the ever-improving Saints scrum.
“Sam is a popular member of our group and we’ve been thrilled with his development since he joined the Club,” said Director of Rugby, Chris Boyd.
Matavesi began his career at hometown Club Camborne, progressing though Cornwall’s grassroots rugby system with stints at Plymouth Albion and Cornish Pirates after graduating from Exeter Chiefs’ academy.
The front rower’s career sky-rocketed however in 2019 as his form earned him a loan spell with Toulouse, a French Top 14 title, and spot on the plane to the 2019 Rugby World Cup with the Flying Fijians, before he arrived at Franklin’s Gardens at the close of the year.
Matavesi has earned 15 international caps for Fiji so far, while also balancing his rugby with his Royal Navy career – he has already featured in three of the annual Babcock Trophy clashes with the Army at Twickenham, as well as earn the Cossack Sword award in 2018 and UK Armed Forces Sportsman of the Year award in 2020.
Sam himself had to say, “The coaches here are top class and have helped me to improve all aspects of my game, while I’m also extremely grateful to the Royal Navy for the opportunity to continue playing rugby at the elite level.”