Bowley and Fortey sign new deals

Worcester Warriors are delighted to announce that lock Will Bowley and hooker Chris Fortey have committed their futures to the club by signing new deals.

Second row star Bowley has signed a new two-year deal with the Sixways Stadium side and Fortey has agreed a new one-year contract.

“I’m delighted that Will Bowley, another product of our thriving Academy section, is now on board with us,” said Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock. “He has improved this year with his work rate and his ability to make tackles and I believe he has a big future ahead of him at Warriors.

“Chris Fortey proved on Sunday – against his old club Gloucester – that he has still got plenty of petrol left in the tank and we are looking forward to an even bigger year out of him next season.”

Bowley, who has played 54 senior games for Warriors, has become an integral key part of the Worcester pack this season alongside Greg Rawlinson in the second row.

A product of the successful Warriors Academy, who has represented England at U18, U19 and U21 level, the 25-year-old has made 11 first team starts this term and scored two tries, against Petrarca Rugby in the European Challenge Cup and Leicester Tigers in the Guinness Premiership.

“I am really pleased to have put pen to paper on the new deal at Warriors,” said Bowley. “I feel my game has really developed at the club, ever since being a part of the Academy set-up, and this season I have relished getting my chance in the first team.

“I look forward to continue to develop my game under the guidance of the coaching staff at Warriors and being part of what I am sure will be a successful period in the coming years.”

Fortey joined Warriors in the summer of 2004 from local rivals Gloucester and has become a rock solid figure in the front row. The 33-year-old has made a total of 83 appearances for Warriors and has now signed a one-year deal to stay at Sixways Stadium until 2010.

“I still have plenty of rugby left in me,” said Fortey. “I still feel very fresh. I’m competing and want to play every week. I want Mike Ruddock to pick me ahead of the likes of Aleki Lutui or young Jordan Page coming through.

“I want to bring success to this team as a player and I also enjoy working with the younger boys and passing on tips and my experience.”


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