Wood resigns with Gloucester

The Cherry and Whites announced this morning that highly-regarded prop Nick Wood has committed his future to the club.

Wood, who has spent his entire career with Gloucester, will remain at Kingsholm until at least 2013 after signing a new three-year contract.

The England Saxons and former U-21 cap was part of his country's squad for the summer games against the Barbarians and Argentina and has been tipped as a future international.

"I'm really pleased that Nick has committed to Gloucester Rugby," said Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath.

"If you look at how many appearances he's made over the past few seasons then you'll understand what an integral part of our scrum he has been.

"He's only just turned 27 and quality props seem to get better as they get older so we're expecting big things from Nick."

Wood joined Gloucester from Radley College and made his league debut against London Irish in 2003.

He has since made 13 starts for Gloucester in the Heineken Cup and played more than 100 games for the club in all competitions.

"I've been at Gloucester my whole career and couldn't really see myself anywhere else," explained Wood.

"We've been so close to major honours during my time here and I want to be part of a Gloucester side that takes that next step.

"For now though, it's all about the rest of this season and winning as many games as possible."

Wood is expected to feature in Saturday's Round 5 tie with the Pool 2 leaders as Gloucester look for the win that would at least keep their chances of European rugby alive for another week.

Biarritz need just a losing bonus point from their final two pool games to secure top spot but, even if pole position is almost certainly beyond them, Gloucester know that two successive victories could lead to second place in the pool.

And while a maximum points tally of 18 is unlikely to be good enough for a quarter-final place in the Heineken Cup, it could lead to a spot in the last eight of the newly-restructured Amlin Challenge Cup.