Morgan Monks, striker from the back row of the WORCESTER Warriors, has signed a contract extension at the club.
Former product of Worcester RFC, Worcester Sixth Form College, and Three Pears Academy have had experience with Hartpury RFC in the Greene King IPA Championship this season due to limited first-team rugby opportunities.
Monks stood out with the Cavaliers in the Premiership Rugby Shield at the end of the 2018/19 season and joined the Three Pears Academy’s senior squad last season.
The 20-year-old Monks made his senior debut in Krasnodar in November 2019 when he won the European Rugby Challenge Cup over the Russian champions Enisei-STM.
He has now made five appearances in the senior national team, most recently against Pau in the Challenge Cup in December, where he made his first appearance.
“Morgan is someone we are really excited about whose potential,” said Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas.
“The Premiership is about big, powerful men, and Morgan is a big, strong, and powerful man from a young age.
“Unfortunately he had a couple of injury setbacks last year but he’s got a great attitude and mindset and he’s got time with Hartpury and he’s doing very well there.”
Monks excelled in double registrations at Birmingham Moseley last season and was named National Young Player of the Year.
“As a player and fan of the club, I am very excited about the signing as I see the positive direction the club is taking after the solid foundations that have been laid this year,” said Monks.
“Since there is no Premiership Rugby Cup or Shield and no European Challenge Cup in the second half of the season, it was a great experience for me to be loaned to Hartpury.
“The coaches there are brilliant, I get 80 minutes of playing time and I also play with some players who have come from the Premiership so I can learn from their experiences, which is very helpful.”
Monks followed Warriors Club Captain Ted Hill of Worcester Sixth Form College to Sixways after playing his formative rugby in the junior division of the Worcester RFC.
He is the second Three Pears Warriors Academy player to sign a contract extension this week, after Lewis Holsey, who is also double registered with Hartpury.
“It’s great to see Monksy, another talented young local player, trust his future to the Warriors,” said Alan Solomons, director of Warriors Rugby.
“Monksy is a powerful, ball-bearing number eight or blindside flanker that I think will leave its mark in the years to come.
“He’s a Worcester boy through and through. He’s passionate about the club, proud to wear the shirt and he’ll be an integral part of the future here at Sixways. ”