WillGriff John extends contract at Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks prop Will-Griff John has signed a new deal to keep him with the Premiership club until 2021.

The former Wales Under-20 international joined the Sharks from Championship side Doncaster Knights last summer and has gone on to enjoy a stellar first season at the club.

To date, John has made 19 appearances across all competitions and established himself not only as one of the key cornerstones of the Sharks pack but also amongst the Premiership's brightest emerging front-row talents.

"I'm really happy to have signed the new contract with the club and I'm very pleased with how things are going and I think it's very exciting for us going forward," said John.

"There are several other boys who have already signed new contracts which is really exciting for everyone here and it is great for me that my front-row colleagues, Ross Harrison and Rob Webber, have also signed extended contracts as well.

"To know for the next few years we are all going to be playing together will only help us in our aims. Hopefully I can keep improving and trying to do my best for the team."

Commenting on the news, Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond said: "It's fantastic news that WillGriff has signed the new deal with us and at the age of the 25 he's only going to get better with more Premiership experience.

"WillGriff had been earning his spurs in the Championship with Doncaster Knights and we saw an opportunity for him here and, like many other lads at the club, he has taken it with both hands.

"So we felt it was only right that we reward him with a new three-year contract.

"WillGriff and Ross Harrison regularly make 20 tackles a game and that's a sign of the modern-day prop forward.

"Part of the reason why Sale are a successful defensive team is because our props are always in double figures tackle-wise.

"He's a quiet man by nature but Will brings huge enthusiasm and endeavour and his stats after every game show that he's anything but a quiet man on the field!"