RYAN Bower has become the latest member of Warriors’ first-team squad to commit his future to the club by signing a new one-year contract.
The 27-year-old loosehead has made 95 first-team appearances since he joined Warriors from Leicester Tigers five years ago but he will have to wait until next season before he joins the 100 club as a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in the Premiership Rugby Cup match at Saracens in November ended his campaign prematurely.
“It’s been a frustrating season for me because of the injury but the new contract gives me a chance to play again, get my injury out of the way and to crack on,” Bower said.
“It would be lovely to get to 100 first-team appearances. I was hoping it would be this season but hopefully I can get there next season.
“After spending five years here you really get to know the place. Worcester, both as a club and place, is home now. I’ve really settled in and it’s a great place to live.
“It’s exciting to see the new players we are bringing in and those that we are re-signing. Hopefully they can continue to strengthen the squad and push us up the league and, hopefully, get into the top six.”
Bower, a member of England’s Junior World Championship squad in 2011, was a key member of Warriors’ Greene King IPA Championship and British & Irish Cup double-winning squad in his first season at Sixways.
Last season he underlined his value to Warriors by playing more games than any other player across all competitions.
Director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “It’s great news for the club that Bowser is extending his stay with us.
“He is not only a first-class loosehead prop, but a terrific team man, who adds huge value to the squad.”