ACADEMY hooker Jack Singleton has signed a new deal which will see him promoted to the Worcester Warriors first team this summer.

The talented 20-year-old, who is nursing a knee injury, has had a fine campaign after making his Warriors debut in Russia against Enisei-STM in October.

His displays in the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup saw him called up for his Aviva Premiership bow against Northampton Saints in November and he has gone on to make 17 appearances.

Director of rugby Gary Gold said Singleton was another example of the club’s flourishing academy system which has already seen the likes of Josh Adams and Jamie Shillcock elevated to the senior team this season.

“The academy system has produced yet another gem in Jack," Gold said.

“He is another example of someone who has developed using what’s available to him at Sixways and I have no doubt that he has a big, bright future in the game.”

Singleton’s Warriors journey began when he joined the academy in 2014 and he soon became a regular for Worcester Cavaliers before being selected for England Under 19s in 2015.

The hooker made the trip Down Under in the summer of 2015 where he picked up vital experience for Saracens RFC in New Zealand, before returning to England to play his first senior game for Warriors in a pre-season clash with Saracens in October of that year.

Singleton was soon rewarded with a call-up to the England Under 20 Six Nations squad where he stole the show in a magnificent four-try performance against Italy and later helped his country to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship title in June 2016.

He also shone on dual-registration with Nottingham Rugby last season, scoring a try on his debut against Cornish Pirates.

Singleton said: “Worcester is a place where young players are given everything they need to reach the top of their game.

“Although I didn’t break into the first-team straight away, I got my head down and thankfully this season I’ve got my chance and been recognised.

“We’ve got a great bunch of young players coming through and I’m really pleased to have made the step up and can’t wait to see what the future holds here.”