Morgan Monks signs extension with Warriors

Back-row forward Morgan Monks is the latest homegrown prospect to commit his future to Warriors by signing a contract extension.

Monks caught the eye playing with the Cavaliers in the Premiership Rugby Shield at the end of the 2018 /19 season and joined the Three Pears Academy senior squad for last season.

Monks, 20, made his senior debut in the European Rugby Challenge Cup victory over Russian champions Enisei-STM in Krasnodar in November 2019.

He has now made five senior appearances, the most recent against Pau in the Challenge Cup in December where he started for the first time.

"Morgan is someone whose potential we are really excited about," said Warriors Head Coach Jonathan Thomas.

"The Premiership is about big, powerful men and, even at a young age, Morgan is big, strong and powerful man.

"Unfortunately he's had a few injury setbacks over the last year or so but he has a great attitude and mindset and he has been getting game time with Hartpury and doing very well there."

As well as gaining valuable senior experience with Hartpury in the Greene King IPA Championship this season, Monks excelled while on a similar dual registration with Birmingham Moseley last season and was voted National One Young Player of the Year.

"As a player and a fan of the club I am very excited to have re-signed as I can see the positive direction that the club is heading after the solid foundations that have been set this year, Monks said.

"With there being no Premiership Rugby Cup or Shield and no European Challenge Cup in the second half of the season, going on loan to Hartpury has been a great experience for me.

"The coaches there are brilliant, I'm getting 80 minutes' game time and I'm also playing alongside some players who have come down from the Premiership so I'm able to learn from their experience which has been hugely beneficial."

Monks followed Warriors Club Captain Ted Hill from Worcester Sixth Form College to Sixways having played his formative rugby in the junior section at Worcester RFC.

He is the second Three Pears Warriors Academy player to sign a contract extension this week after loosehead prop Lewis Holsey who is also on a dual registration with Hartpury.

"It is terrific to see Monksy,  yet another talented, young, homegrown player, commit his future to Warriors," said Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons.

"Monksy, is a powerful, ball-carrying number eight or blindside flanker who, I believe, will make his mark in the years to come.

"He is a Worcester boy through and through. He cares passionately about the club, is proud to wear the jersey and he is going to be integral to the future here at Sixways."