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Rugby Union

Morgan signs on at Gloucester

08/01/2008

England full-back Olly Morgan has signed a new two-year contract with Guinness Premiership side Gloucester.

The 22-year-old, who has two international caps to his name, has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Kingsholm until at least 2010.

Morgan has made 47 appearances in his three-and-a-half years at the club, scoring ten tries, and is one of a number of promising young starlets who are beginning to make their name under head coach Dean Ryan.

And the former international believes Morgan has a bright future.

"Olly has proved since he broke into the senior squad that he has what it takes to become a top-class full-back," Ryan explained.

"He is another player we wanted to retain very much because he represents the future of Gloucester and the England game in general.

"He is brave, committed and improving all the time in a group of young players who are really starting to mature. It is great for him and great for the club the deal has been concluded as quickly as it has been.

"I have said before we are making it our business to re-sign these guys and I am delighted it has been completed."

Morgan himself believes Gloucester "are building something special" and says he is keen to be a part of it.

He said: "Like a lot of the other young players at the club, Gloucester is the only professional environment I have ever known and I just wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

"There are so many fantastic players in the squad that it stretches and tests your abilities every day.

"That is a tremendous strength of the club and will hopefully not only make me a better player but others too.

"The coaches have a clear vision about what they want for the club in the long-term and that is why I had no hesitation in signing."

Morgan missed out on selection for England's 2007 Rugby World Cup squad because of injury.

And while he is still struggling because of a shoulder problem, he is expected to return to action in March and push his claims to add to his international experience before the end of the Six Nations.