Alex Goode will stay on with Saracens next season for a 16th year of top-level rugby with the Men In Black.
The evergreen 35-year-old set a new professional-era club record of 339 Saracens appearances in October, and still delivers vintage performances week on week.
The 21-cap England full-back had precious few second thoughts about committing for another year in north London – mainly because any reflective moments came when he broke that club appearance mark.
“I have re-signed at Sarries, and we did a while ago,” Goode confirmed. “It was pretty easy for me, we discussed it and I just wanted to keep playing. I feel healthy and good, and I guess I feel that I’m still able to influence things and have an impact.
“I think when I feel like I can’t have an impact or a role to play, then I really don’t think I’d be very good at just holding a tackle pad and hanging on in there. So when that happens I’ll know to walk away from it really. But my body feels good, my mind feels good and I’m feeling in a good place.
“I was a bit more reflective than ever before when I broke the record for Saracens appearances, that was a pretty special moment for me. I really reflected for the first little while on my career, on the journey, and I was quite proud of myself, about how I got to this stage and had worked hard for that to happen.”
Goode will start tomorrow’s Premiership semi-final clash with Northampton at StoneX Stadium in what will prove his 45th consecutive knockout match for Saracens since 2010, in either the league or Europe.
The versatile playmaker boasts five league titles and three European crowns spanning Saracens’ full glory years, with only Owen Farrell and Jamie George in similar company in the current squad.
Goode has seen it all across a full generation’s Premiership experience, including Saracens’ relegation and return to the top of the tree.
In a season where Worcester and Wasps have gone bust and London Irish have battled an uncertain future too, Goode believes players in the sport crave a surer footing for the sport on all fronts.
“The excitement of the playoffs is brilliant and everyone gets behind that. But the anxiety and fear associated with worrying about your livelihood, your job and your future for a lot of players this year, that must have been absolutely horrendous.
“It’s ironic that that has happened at a time when the rugby has been some of the most exciting that the league has seen in a long time.
“So for all parties going forward for next season and beyond for Premiership Rugby, it has to be about ensuring there is clarity and understanding for all parties and that is what people want. Certainty and clarity are the keys. I just hope for the future everything is sorted out and there is that clarity moving forward.”
