Ben Te’o has moved to end speculation over his future at Worcester by insisting he will “100%” be at the club next season. The England centre has one more year to run on his three-year deal and has confirmed he plans to see out his contract.
Te’o’s renewed commitment comes as a boost to Worcester, who can seal Premiership survival this weekend. Last week the Warriors reported a pre-tax loss of £8.1m for the 2016-17 season and Te’o is among the best-paid players in the Premiership but the 31-year-old will be a key part of their attempts to avoid relegation next season when a resurgent Bristol join the top flight.
Francois Hougaard, the South Africa scrum-half, signed a new contract last month and, while Te’o has been linked with moves to Bath and Saracens, he said: “I’ve shown my commitment when I play and I will 100% be at Warriors next year. I’m in year two of a three-year contract and I’m going to do year three. Throughout my career I’ve seen out every contract that I’ve signed. That’s the way I like to do it.”
Te’o has made only nine appearances for Worcester this season after an ankle injury suffered in October ruled him out until the eve of the Six Nations. He funded a six-week period of rehabilitation in Australia and played a part in all five of England’s matches before returning to Worcester, catching the eye in last weekend’s triumph over Newcastle.
Sale have criticised Denny Solomona’s four-week ban after the full judgment of last week’s disciplinary hearing emerged on Monday. Solomona was found guilty of calling Worcester’s Jamie Shillcock a “fucking faggot”, despite the lack of video evidence. Solomona denies the allegation but will not play again this season unless Sale, who have decided not to appeal against the sanction, reach the play-offs.
“The club believes Denny, he is a decent and honest person and maintains that no homophobic words were exchanged,” a club statement said. “The RFU disciplinary panel decided, on the balance of probability but with absolutely no other evidence, that Denny had said those words based on Jamie Shillcock’s reaction only.”