Lawes extends Saints stay

London - England second row Courtney Lawes has signed a three-year contract extension which will keep him at Northampton until 2015, the English Premiership club confirmed on Wednesday.

Lawes, 22, is regarded as a key figure at Franklin's Gardens as the Saints aim to continue challenging for domestic and European silverware.

"Securing the signatures of players like Courtney for three years is very important for us as we look to make the next step up as a club," coach Jim Mallinder said in a statement.

"Courtney is still maturing and learning as a player, but he has shown, even at just 22 years of age, that he has all the things you need to succeed."

Lawes has been capped 13 times by England since making his debut in 2009 but had a poor World Cup after incurring a two-match ban for kneeing Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma in the head.