Scotland international centre Alex Grove has today signed a new contract and pledged his future to Worcester Warriors.
Midfield ace Grove, who has made 76 appearances for Warriors, has been one of the key performers at Sixways over the last few seasons.
The 24-year-old follows Matt Mullan, Shaun Perry, Chris Pennell, Jonny Arr, Ravai Fatiaki and Danny Gray in agreeing new terms in recent weeks as Head Coach Richard Hill continues to evolve his playing squad for next season and beyond.
“Alex has been an automatic selection over this last season, alongside Dale Rasmussen he has clearly been one of the best centres at the club,” said Hill.
“He has been consistently excellent week in and week out, particularly in defence. Alex has proven to be one of the best, if not the best, defender in the 13 channel in the Aviva Premiership.
“It is one of the most difficult positions on the field to play with so many decisions to be made. But he is intelligent, very talented and is big tackler who makes sure nobody goes through him.
“Off the field, Alex is a superb professional with a great attitude. He was always very keen to stay at the club and is passionate and determined to bring success here and enjoy that.
“This is his club and he wanted to stay. I want people with that attitude, to want to win for this club and want the Warriors to take off.”
A product of the Warriors Academy system, Solihull-born back Grove, a former pupil of Rugby School, represented Scotland at Under 18s, 19s and 20s before working his way onto the international stage.
Grove received his first call-up to the full Scotland squad for the November internationals in 2009 and started the games with Fiji and Australia and featured against Argentina. His qualification for Scotland is through his grandfather, Ron Wylie the former Aston Villa and Birmingham City footballer who also managed West Bromwich Albion.
The strong running centre scored four tries for the senior team during his breakthrough season in 2008/09, including a memorable effort against then champions London Wasps.
The hard working back made 22 appearances for Warriors during the 2009/10 campaign and scored seven tries – four of them coming in successive games at the end of the season.
Grove, renowned for his powerful tackling and work ethic, spent the early part of the 2010/11 season on loan at Edinburgh before returning to Sixways to help Warriors achieve promotion back to the Aviva Premiership.
This season he has again shone forming a powerful midfield partnership with Rasmussen in recent months as Worcester have started 2012 with an impressive run of results.
Grove said: “I’m really pleased to have sorted my future out and to commit to the Warriors. I always wanted to remain at Sixways and to help the club realise all the ambitions it has.
“It’s is exciting to see the calibre of players being signed and retained by the coaching team for next season. Also the plans the club has to grow, both on and off the field.
“The Aviva Premiership is definitely the best league that I have played in,” he added. “It is a lot more physical, quicker and you are playing with and against some of the best players in the world. That challenge each week is what makes this league so exciting.”
“He has been consistently excellent week in and week out, particularly in defence. Alex has proven to be one of the best, if not the best, defender in the 13 channel in the Aviva Premiership…"