Worcester Warriors are today delighted to make the major announcement that star prop Matt Mullan – one of England’s most talented and highly rated front row forwards – has signed a new deal to remain at Sixways Stadium.
Mullan, currently part of the England Saxons EPS and who has featured in Six Nations action for England in the past, has ended speculation over his playing future by this afternoon putting his prized signature on a new contract.
The 24-year-old, who has attracted the attention of a huge number of top-flight clubs, has made a total of 85 appearances for Warriors.
Head Coach Richard Hill hailed the news as a sign of the real ambition shared by both the player and club for the future of Worcester Warriors.
“It is a major signing for Warriors that Matt has agreed to remain with us,” said Hill.
“This signature shows that we can keep the very best players that have come through our set-up and I truly believe this is a very significant moment for the club.
“We want our very best young players to stay with us and have faith in the future and the plans we have to this club forward. This is a big statement for the Warriors and where we are going.
“Matt has been consistently outstanding and in every single game he produces top quality performances. He has huge respect within the squad and is absolutely 100 per cent professional in everything he does as he strives to develop and push himself.
“I have enjoyed working with him hugely and he has every attribute that you would want in a professional rugby player. Everybody connected with the Warriors is delighted that he has decided to commit himself to the club.”
A product of the Warriors Academy, Mullan first came to prominence in the 2007/08 season with 25 appearances in all competitions, including his Premiership debut against London Irish in December 2007.
Mullan’s outstanding development, work rate and ball carrying skills, alongside his excellent scrummaging ability, have been acknowledged with a host of awards 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 the 2008/09 season.
The high esteem in which Warriors hold Mullan has also been replicated on the international stage. He was first called up to the England Saxons squad in 2009 and then replaced the injured Andrew Sheridan in the Senior squad for the 2010 Six Nations Championship.
Mullan made his senior England international debut as a replacement for Tim Payne against Italy in Rome on 14 February 2010.
The talented front row, who has been widely tipped to win more England caps in the coming years, was part of the England squad that claimed the Churchill Cup in 2011 and last month featured for the Saxons in victory over Irish Wolfhounds.
“I am very pleased to have my future sorted and can now look forward to the rest of this season and beyond at Warriors,” said Mullan.
“I have come through the Academy system at Sixways and have been involved in the senior set-up for seven seasons now so I desperately want to achieve the potential that I truly believe exists at Sixways.
“We have made a very strong start to 2012 and I am excited by the plans and the coming year under the leadership of Richard Hill and his coaching team.”
“This signature shows that we can keep the very best players that have come through our set-up and I truly believe this is a very significant moment for the club…"