Worcester Warriors are delighted to announce that rising stars Matt Kvesic, Andy Short, James Freeman, Rob Wood and Louis Silver have all pledged their futures by signing new Academy contracts at Sixways Stadium.
The Warriors Academy has produced a conveyor belt of talent in recent years with the likes of international duo Matt Mullan and Alex Grove coming through the Sixways ranks and graduating onto the highest level.
The Academy squad at Warriors for next season is now taking shape with these five exciting young talents among those keen to continue their development at the club.
England Under-18 international No.8 Kvesic, who captained his country against Scotland in April, showcased his talent with a first half hat-trick against Newcastle Falcons in a recent A League game.
The highly rated 18-year-old became the youngest Warrior in the professional era last season when he came on against Scarlets in the LV= Cup in November, 204 days younger than Andrew Higgins when he made his debut against Manchester in September 1999.
Worcester-born centre Short, 19, is a key part of the England Under-18 squad and recently grabbed a devastating double as England Regional Academies XV defeated Wales Under-20s.
Scrum half Silver, 19, broke into the first team at Warriors at the end of this season and made an impressive full Guinness Premiership debut against Gloucester earlier this month. Kvesic, Short and Silver are all products of the AASE scheme at Worcester Warriors.
Back row Freeman, 19, who has represented England Under-18s, played senior rugby for Warriors during pre-season and has impressed during the A League campaign.
Lock/flanker Wood, 21, the younger brother of Tom Wood, made his Guinness Premiership debut for Warriors against Harlequins in April 2009. Having completed his studies at Loughborough University he has now put pen to paper to resign for the club.
“We’re delighted we’ve agreed contracts to sign these talented young players as they all have very bright futures ahead of them,” said Andrew Stanley, Warriors Academy Manager.
“I’m sure they will all now continue to work very hard to develop their games to enable them to play 1st XV rugby for the Warriors and our supporters are as excited about these signings as we are.”