WARRIORS have signalled their intentions to help young players reach their full potential by extending the contracts of winger Dean Hammond and outside back Perry Humphreys.
23-year-old Hammond was thrust onto the Warriors scene after arriving in 2013, making 15 appearances in his debut campaign where he featured across the Aviva Premiership, European Challenge Cup and LV= Cup competitions.
Despite an injury-hit 2014/15 season, the South African racked up an impressive seven tries in 11 appearances, helping Warriors pick up the B&I Cup and playing an integral role in their promotion to the Premiership – including a vital try against London Scottish in the Championship semi-final second leg.
Hammond has also featured in all six of Warriors’ European Challenge Cup matches this season, crossing the whitewash on three occasions, while also spending time on loan at Nottingham Rugby.
21-year-old starlet Humphreys – who has been promoted from the Three Pears Academy to the first-team – has impressed since moving from Leicester Tigers in 2014, and was handed his Warriors first team debut away at Rotherham Titans in October that year.
The rapid full-back, who can also play on the wing has gone on to make 11 appearances, bagging two tries – including a fine solo score in the B&I Cup semi-final against Leinster A last year, with Warriors going on to win the competition.
Humphreys has also been a mainstay of Worcester Cavaliers, notching three tries in seven games as the young side reached the Aviva A League final for the first time in 2015.
The youngster has impressed during this campaign too, in the European Challenge Cup as well as scoring and setting up two tries in Cavaliers’ November win over Sale Jets.
Director of Rugby Dean Ryan said: “Dean is a young player who has developed immensely during his three seasons at the club, and is improving all the time.
“He’s not been fazed by the amount of competition for places and has continued to help drive standards across the squad.
“He’s a youngster who is growing and gaining experience. We’re starting to see consistency from Dean which makes him a better option at the senior level.
“Perry is a tremendous athlete who continues to show real enthusiasm and electric pace on the field.
“He provides exciting competition in the back three and we’re looking forward to working closely with him, to further aid his rapid development.”