Players Who Matter In Northampton Saints Vs. UBB Rugby: George Furbank
Players Who Matter In Northampton Saints Vs. UBB Rugby: George Furbank
Northampton captain George Furbank eyes a return from injury to lead his team in the Investec Champions Cup Final vs. Bordeaux on May 24 in Cardiff, Wales.
Northampton Saints captain George Furbank may return from injury just in time to lead his side in the Investec Champions Cup Final against Union Bordeaux Bègles on May 24 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
The highly anticipated clash will stream live exclusively on FloRugby for rugby fans in the United States and North American.
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George Arthur Furbank, born Oct. 17, 1996, in Huntingdon, England, has grown into one of the Premiership’s most reliable fullbacks and a respected leader for the Northampton Saints.
Known for his sharp attacking instincts and calmness under the high ball, Furbank has been central to the Saints’ domestic and European resurgence.
Furbank’s rugby journey began at the grassroots level with Huntingdon RFC, a club with deep family ties.
Despite attending Kimbolton School, where rugby was not offered, he developed his athleticism through cricket, playing for Leicestershire until age 16.
He later moved to Bedford School, where he captained the first XV and caught the attention of Saints’ scouts, earning a place in the club's Senior Academy in 2015.
His club debut came in November 2017 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against the Exeter Chiefs, where he marked the occasion with a try.
His breakthrough season followed in 2018-2019, contributing to the Saints’ Premiership Rugby Cup title and helping them reach the European Challenge Cup quarterfinals.
Furbank’s consistent form earned him a senior contract and a permanent spot on the first team the following season.
Over the next few years, Furbank matured into a dual-threat fullback and occasional fly-half, renowned for his vision and ball distribution.
In the 2023-2024 season, he played a pivotal role in the Saints’ Premiership title-winning campaign, including a standout two-try performance against RC Toulon in the Champions Cup pool stages. He started the semifinal against Leinster and returned from a fractured arm in April 2025 to score a try and notch two assists in a quarterfinal rout of Castres.
Furbank’s international career took off in 2020 when he debuted for England in the Six Nations opener against France. Though the match ended in defeat, he remained on the squad and helped England secure the championship.
In 2024, Furbank found his stride on the international stage, scoring tries against Scotland, Ireland and Japan.
As of November 2024, Furbank has three international tries to his name and continues to be a valuable asset for England. His leadership qualities and experience have made him a natural choice as Saints captain.
Whether he can recover in time to lead Northampton into its first Champions Cup Final since 2011 remains a key storyline heading into the match.
Regardless, Furbank's journey from local club roots to Premiership glory and international caps underscores a career defined by resilience, versatility and a deep love for the game.
Should he take the field in Cardiff, George Furbank’s presence could be the difference in the Saints’ quest to claim European rugby’s top prize.
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