Worcester Warriors are delighted to announce that Matt Mullan – one of England’s most promising and talented front-row forwards – has today signed a new two-year deal to remain at Sixways Stadium.
Mullan, named in the England Saxons EPS squad in July, was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, but has now put pen to paper early to commit his future to the Warriors until at least 2012.
The highly-rated 22-year-old’s prized signature underlines the ambition for success shared by both the player and club.
Bromsgrove School-educated Mullan, who had been attracting the attention of a host of top clubs, is among a rare breed of front row players who can figure at loose-head prop or hooker and his contribution and development has now been rewarded with a new contract by Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.
A product of the Warriors Academy, Mullan first came to prominence in 2007/08 with 25 appearances for Warriors in all competitions, followed by 24 matches in 2008/09. His senior debut had previously come in December 2005 against Newport Gwent Dragons in the Powergen Cup.
Mullan’s Guinness Premiership debut arrived against London Irish in December 2007 and his two tries in 38 appearances in the top-flight competition were against London Wasps in April 2008 and Leicester Tigers the following September.
The talented prop has regularly led the Guinness Premiership statistics for tackles made and yards covered by a prop and his impressive pace for a front row forward was shown in devastating fashion last season when he produced a memorable try-saving tackle against James Hook in the EDF Energy Cup.
Mullan’s outstanding development, work rate and ball carrying skills, alongside his excellent scrummaging ability, have been acknowledged by awards in successive seasons at Sixways. He jointly collected the Young Player of the Year prize for 2007/08 and then took the Most Improved Player at the end of last season.
The high esteem in which Warriors hold Mullan was replicated by his second call to the England Saxons’ squad last July.
He had been called-up for training in January, but missed the match against Portugal through a rearranged Guinness Premiership game, and was later denied a debut against Ireland A at Donnybrook when the match was cancelled because of frost.
Mullan has earned impressive reviews from a host of former England players and pundits again this season and was widely tipped to make his full England debut for Martin Johnson’s men in the autumn internationals until a hamstring injury ruled him out until Christmas.
Matt Mullan said: “I’m really pleased to have signed this contract and look forward to a very exciting and successful future at Warriors.
“The club shares my ambition for the future and I’m excited by the plans that have been outlined by Mike Ruddock and his backroom team to take the Warriors forward in the both domestic and European competitions.
“I feel I have grown alongside the club, as both a person and a professional player, and now I have agreed this deal I can continue my development under the guidance of the coaching team, including Tony Windo who has played a key role in my recent success.
“I plan to play a big part in making sure Warriors climb the Guinness Premiership table and get to a position where we I feel we deserve and belong to be, one that reflects both the quality and ambition in our squad.”