SAINTS have extended centre Ben Davies contract by a further two years which will see him stay with with the club until at least the end of the 2024 season.

The Widnesian centre or second rower has grabbed his opportunities having broken into the first team this year - and even had a spell at stand off.

He has played seven times this term, scoring two tries, coach Kristian Woolf said extending his deal was a deserved reward.

Davies said: “I am grateful for the opportunity and I am excited for what is ahead.

“I want to thank all the coaches from Saints of course, but from my amateur days and at Widnes too as well as my family and friends.

“My aim was to always play Super League and I enjoyed my time at Widnes which was an exciting time, but this is my club and who I want to play for now.

“I feel this is the best place for me to benefit, improve my game and I am looking forward to the future.”

Davies played for Halton Farnworth Hornets and Widnes Moorfield before signing a scholarship deal at Widnes Vikings, playing in their Academy and making his first team debut in 2019.

He represented Lancashire in the Academy origin programme and was part of the England Under 18s Academy squad before signing for the Saints – initially with the Reserves.

He made his Saints debut in defeat to Salford in 2020, impressing with a solid display at centre. Davies made another single appearance in 2021, again against Salford and was handed the number 22 jersey for 2022.

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Head Coach Woolf added: “It’s a real reward for a guy that joined us initially in our Reserves team and really impressed us.

“He is a player that understands the game, has a real skill set, is a big body, can kick and can read the game really well.

“He has worked on his physical condition over the last few months and has made a lot of sacrifices and put himself in a position to play some games for us and he has impressed along the way.

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“I am really proud of how he has developed his game and his fitness and how hard he has worked. He is very versatile, and the players enjoy having him around and for those reasons he is a great signing for us.”

Davies follows the re-signings of Konrad Hurrell, Sione Mata’utia, Matty Lees, Jack Welsby and Lewis Dodd as the club slots its squad jigsaw pieces into place for 2023.