ALEX Goode has shrugged off his World Cup despair by signing a new three-year contract at Saracens which could see him finish his career with the club.
The full-back insists it was an easy decision to commit to a club which has become the dominant force in European rugby and is determined to remain so for years to come.
Despite being left frustrated and disappointed at being left at home by Eddie Jones while England attempt to win a second Webb Ellis Cup in Japan, Goode insists he never had any thoughts of copying Ben Te'o and quitting for France.
The deal to keep him at Allianz Park until he is 34 is a major boost for a player many feel has been unfortunate not to win more than his 21 Test caps. Goode admits he never envisaged the London club would enjoy such success when he first arrived there in 2008. Last season's double success took their haul to eight major trophies in eight years – five Premiership titles and three-times European champions.
Mark McCall's men are short odds to rule the roost again and Cambridge-born Goode insists: “I've got three more years now and that's fantastic. I didn't want to be anywhere else because I love the place and love coming into train every day with the guys.
“I don't need to go to France. I speak French and my mum's a French speaker but I'm happy to stay in north London close to my family. I appreciate being at a club like Sarries which has given me and my family so much during the years I've been here.
“What more do you need in life when you are so happy playing for a club where your best mates are and which is always fighting for top trophies.
“The ultimate goal here is for Saracens to be one of the most successful clubs in the history of club rugby. For me staying at Sarries another few years gives me the chance to help create more history.”
Goode missed out on the plane to Japan but is still backing England to reach the final and potentially emulating Sir Clive Woodward's 2003 Sydney heroes. He said: “I was devastated to miss out but I will still watch the tournament. England will do exceptionally well. They will get to the final and could easily win it.
“For me they are one of the three teams who can do that.
“The others are New Zealand and South Africa. They could meet the All Blacks in the semi-finals, beat them and then do the same to South Africa in the final.”
GARY FITZGERALD
