WillGriff John commits to Sale Sharks

Editor

Sale Sharks have secured another key long-term contract renewal with prop forward WillGriff John signing a new three-year contract with the club.

Born in Plymouth, New Zealand, the former Wales U20 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.

News of the 25-year-old's new deal is just the latest in a series of long-term contract renewals secured by Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond with key personnel over the past month and represents another huge boost for the club's long-term ambitions.

John began his playing career at Pontypridd and went on to represent Wales across all junior levels.

He also spent time with Cardiff Blues before moving to New Zealand, spending two years with the Northland province where he played in New Zealand's domestic competition.

John then returned to the UK in 2014 to join Doncaster Knights where he emerged as one of the Championship's leading tight-head operators before joining the Sharks last summer. 

"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 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!"