Academy duo sign new deals at Wasps
WASPS’ preparations for the 2018/19 campaign and beyond continue at pace with the announcement two academy players have signed new contracts.
Owain James and Will Porter have both put pen to paper on new deals in the same week Gaby Oghre and Tom Willis committed their futures to the club.
Pacy 21-year-old James, who has appeared at full back and winger, was last month named on the shortlist from which the AngloWelsh breakthrough player award is chosen.
He was also an unused replacement during the recent Aviva Premiership clashes with Gloucester and London Irish, and is currently in his third season as a Wasps professional. “Owain has come on well this season when he’s played some really good games in the A League and Anglo-Welsh Cup,” said Head of Recruitment and Academy Kevin Harman. “He’s twice got close to making his Premiership debut recently and we now want to see him kick on and become a regular part of the first team squad. “He is a very skilful player who can play anywhere in the back three.” James said: “Wasps is a club going places, pushing in the Premiership and Europe, so it’s great to be part of a team with ambitions to go high. “I was here in the Junior Academy and now for three seasons in the Senior Academy, so most of my rugby has been played at Wasps and the whole development of my game is thanks to the club.” Scrum half Porter, currently on loan at Championship club Rotherham Titans, is a former England under 18 who joined the black-andgolds direct from school.
“I have been with Wasps for a long time now through the junior and senior academy, and have a real connection with the club,” said Porter.
“I love the way Wasps play rugby.
“It suits my game very well in addition to being a lot of fun. Since joining the senior academy, I have developed massively due to being regularly exposed to such great opportunities and coaching.
“I’ve also loved playing at Rotherham this season, and hope to get more game time with them during the rest of this season.”
Harman believes only injury has denied Porter from adding to his international honours this spring. He said: “It was a real shame that Will picked up an ankle injury, as otherwise I’m 100 per cent certain he would have been in the England under 20s in the Six Nations.
“He is fit again now, and has done really well for Rotherham in the Championship on loan – he’s another one with huge potential.”