LOCK Justin Clegg has committed his future to Warriors by signing a new one-year contract.
The 25-year-old is a product of the Three Pears Warriors Academy and made his 50th appearance for the club against Newcastle Falcons at Sixways last month.
Clegg made his Warriors debut while he was a student at Durham University and, having recovered from a stress fracture of the back which forced him to miss most of the 2018/19 season, he made his senior breakthrough last season.
“I am very happy to be staying with Warriors,” Clegg said.
“The last two seasons have been good for me personally, especially getting to 50 appearances this season.
“I’m excited to be a part of the Warriors next season and look forward to working with Steve Diamond and Nick Easter’.
“To be part of the squad that won the Premiership Rugby Cup was very special. Not playing in the final didn’t matter, it was just as significant for us on the sidelines as it was for the boys who played.
“To have been on that journey is something that I will treasure. There were some big games – winning against Bath and beating Gloucester here were great memories.
“It was great to see the club get some silverware but I was also sad that Cecil Duckworth wasn’t here to see it because that was one of his big goals for the club.”
In addition to his on-field contribution, Clegg is also a Trustee of the Warriors Community Foundation, helping to promote the work of the club’s charitable arm.
“Another reason why I wanted to stay was because of my work with the Foundation,” he said.
“That is something that I am proud to be involved in and which I am passionate about. The Foundation staff do an incredible job and have a positive impact in so many different areas of our local community.”
Steve Diamond, Warriors Lead Rugby Consultant, believes that Clegg has all the attributes to become a top- flight lock.
“Cleggy has all the ingredients to be a top-class lock. He’s athletic and he’s a big man, the job is to make him into a Premiership animal,” Diamond said.
“Warriors have a reputation for developing excellent young players and it’s great to see good homegrown players like Cleggy staying with us.”