Worcester Warriors are delighted to announce that home grown stars Alex Grove, Jake Abbott, David Lyons and George Crook have all today committed their futures to the club by signing new deals.
Academy product Grove, who has burst onto the first team scene this season and made 13 senior appearances, has penned a two-year deal to remain at Sixways Stadium until 2011.
Flanker Jake Abbott, lock David Lyons and fly half George Crook, who have also come through the Academy ranks at Sixways Stadium, have all agreed one-year deals.
Grove, a former pupil of Rugby School, is currently completing his third season at Worcester and has represented Scotland at Under 18s, 19s and 20s. The 21-year-old has scored four tries for the senior team this season, including a memorable interception effort against champions London Wasps.
“Alex has recently put his hand up for a contract extension after impressing in the Academy programme, in development games for the club and now the senior team,” said Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.
“He is very professional in everything he does and is an excellent role model to all the younger players in the Academy in how consistent hard work and dedication can drive you towards improved performances and eventually a first team contract.
“I’m sure Alex will follow up his man-of-the-match performance against London Wasps this season with more similar displays during the length of his new contract.”
Flanker Jake Abbott, 21, a former Worcester Sixth Form College student in his second year at the club, made his first team debut this year against London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup in October and scored his first senior try against Harlequins in November.
Lock David Lyons, 23, who has recently completed his studies at Exeter University, is in his first year at Sixways Stadium and has enjoyed a loan spell with Coventry this season.
Crook, 20, an ex-Bromsgrove School pupil, is a product of the EPDG system at Warriors as is currently completing his second full-time season at Sixways Stadium.
“Andrew Stanley and Gary Meechan continue to run a fantastic Academy programme at the club that we are once again reaping the benefits of,” added Ruddock.
“Alex Grove has recently signed a new deal on the back of some fantastic first team performances and we are expecting Jake Abbott, David Lyons and George Crook to follow in his footsteps as they have now committed to extend their time at Warriors.
“Jake Abbott is an incredibly dynamic all-round flanker who has already earned the respect of everyone at the club with his performances this season for the first team and before too long I fully expect David Lyons to play first team rugby.
“David is a quite exceptional athlete who has taken up the game only recently and made huge improvements in his performance levels already.
“George Crook is a talented No.10 who has the ability to play a running game or a top quality kicking game. His rugby intelligence is very impressive and I expect great things from him in the future.”