News

Youngsters signing up in the west

Wednesday 16th April 2008

Charlie Sharples: Gloucester's rising star

Gloucester's rising stars Charlie Sharples and Dan Norton have signed one-year contracts with the club for the 2008-2009 season, while Bath have signed up 22-year-old winger Rhys Crane and Worcester have extended 21-year-old flanker Tom Wood's contract.

The exciting Gloucester pair have been on loan at Moseley this season and 19-year-old Sharples has already made two Guinness Premiership appearances following his debut against London Irish last month.

"I'm really excited to be joining the club on a full-time basis - this is what I have been working towards since I started playing rugby - and to have the opportunity to play for Gloucester is fantastic," he told www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

"We have an amazing group of players and just to be a part of the squad is great. But my job has only just started and I am sure working with the calibre of coaches Gloucester have means I can only get better in the future."

Norton also made his Guinness Premiership debut off the bench against London Irish and is Moseley's top try scorer with eight tries in 16 appearances. He represented England Under-18s last season and has been a key member of Gloucester's A League side. He was also a member of England's Grand Slam winning squad this season.

Bath's Crane is currently completing his degree in Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff and has been playing rugby for the University side in Welsh National Division One.

When Crane joins up with Bath Rugby over the summer he will initially be a member of the Academy set-up at the club with a chance of progression to the first team squad.

A relative unknown, Crane is a product of Old Swinford Hospital School and Dudley Kingswinford RFC. He is currently a member of the greater England Sevens squad and has played for Bath United in the Guinness A league this season.

"I am looking forward to pre-season and the challenges ahead after playing some games for Bath United and seeing the setup first hand when visiting the club. I believe Bath is a perfect environment for me to fulfil me ambitions," he said.

Flanker Wood has enjoyed a stunning season at Sixways Stadium after breaking into the first team squad, and has signed a two-year contract extension.

"Tom has made 17 appearances for Warriors this season and is another fantastic product of our thriving Academy programme," said Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.

"He has made rapid strides and has the physical size to make an international back row forward. He also has the determination to carry him to that goal.

"With Drew Hickey leaving the club at the end of the season more weight will fall on Tom's broad shoulders, however, we believe this will bring the very best out of him."