Desire to 'lock horns with very best in England and Europe' tempts Wasps forward to stay on

Wasps have revealed the successful completion of a ninth contract extension for next season,  hooker Tom Cruse signing a new deal to play for Dai Young' side in the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Cruse joined Wasps in 2016 from London Irish and soon established himself in the first-team as well as a popular member among the squad.

The 29-year-old has gone on to rack up 57 appearances in the black and gold, including nine tries, and was voted as the players’ player of the season in 2017/18.

Cruse began his career with his local club Stockport where he won county honours with Cheshire prior to spells in the Sale academy and with National Two North side Macclesfield.

This brought him to the attention of Wasps backs coach Lee Blackett, then at the helm of Championship outfit Rotherham Titans, where he enjoyed a prolific two-season spell during which he claimed numerous man-of-the-match awards and was named in the Championship dream team.

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Wasps boss Young said: “Tom is a fantastic person and a top player. He always goes out and gives you a 110 per cent and he’s been a consistently reliable performer in the black and gold.

“He’s a very well-liked character within the dressing room and to have him sign on for his third contract at Wasps shows that this is a club he cares about and wants to be a key part of moving forward.”

Cruse added: “Wasps have been great to me and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first three seasons alongside some top blokes.

“There are a lot of guys who are all signing on the dotted line and we all want to help take this club to where it belongs at the top and locking horns with the very best in England and Europe.

“Personally, I want to be on the pitch at every opportunity, contributing wherever and whenever I can, and to win trophies in the years to come.”