Six sign on for Wasps
London Wasps have announced that six players have signed contract extensions with the English club.
Club captain Chris Bell, Italian international Andrea Masi, Carlo Festuccia, Kearnan Myall, Jake Cooper-Woolley and Charlie Davies have all penned new deals.
Bell has made 52 appearances for Wasps since arriving in 2011 and his trademark tough tackles and direct running have been important features of the Wasps side in recent years.
Bell is also an important figure off the field which was highlighted when he was given the captaincy by Dai Young ahead of the current season.
Masi, the Italian centre, has been superb for Wasps since he signed two seasons ago, though injury has ruled him out of action in recent months.
His versatility has seen him play in both midfield positions and at fullback for the club and, with 80 caps for his country, he provides vital leadership and experience to a youthful Wasps backline.
Festuccia joined the club ahead of the current season and has become a mainstay of the front row, having started at hooker in 12 of the 19 games so far this season.
With 54 caps for Italy behind him, Festuccia has shown his experience in his displays in black and gold and has added vast amounts to the leadership group at the club.
Myall joined the club from Sale Sharks ahead of the current season and has quickly become a key figure in the well-contested second row.
Despite competition from the likes of Joe Launchbury, Tom Palmer, James Cannon and Esteban Lozada, Myall's hard-nosed approach and ability at the set-piece has seen him feature in 13 games out of 19 so far in his debut season in black and gold.
Cooper-Woolley has been a revelation for Wasps since he arrived as a relative unknown from Cardiff last year. The 24-year-old was spotted by Young playing university rugby and the prop has been a mainstay in the London Wasps front row this season, with a series of barnstorming performances.
Davies has continued to develop his game since arriving in London from Stade Francais in 2010 and has this season been handed the starting jersey eight times.
Battling it out for a starting place with Joe Simpson, Davies has shown his ability to control the pace of the game and his command of the forward pack. Still only 23 years old, the young scrumhalf looks to have a bright and exciting future ahead of him.
Director of Rugby Young said "We are delighted that these six players have all signed new contracts with us. There is a range of experience within that group and that is a reflection of what we are trying to build in our squad as a whole.
"We have some hugely experienced guys in our team now who will help to influence the club's direction as well as some talented younger players who we hope will provide the backbone for Wasps in the long term.”
