Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Monye Awarded Quins Deal


Harlequins have awarded England winger Ugo Monye a new contract up to the end of the 2014-15 season.

The 28-year-old has scored more than 70 tries for the club since making his first-team debut nine years ago.

"It has been fantastic to have been a witness to all the changes that have taken place at the club over the last 10 years," he told the club website.

"We are a forward-thinking club and that is another reason why I want to stay here."

The England and British and Irish Lions flyer added: "I have so many wonderful memories here at Quins.

"But what I am most proud about is the way the club has bounced back from adversity - bloodgate and relegation; both of these negatives have seen us become stronger."

Monye, who has 13 England caps and toured with the Lions in South Africa two years ago, suffered a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his big toe last year.

He returned to action in time to be part of the Quins side which beat Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup final in May, and although he suffered a knee injury soon after playing for England against the Barbarians, he was still named in the provisional squad for the Rugby World Cup.

Monye did not make the final cut for the tournament in New Zealand but still hopes for a recall in next year's Six Nations tournament.

Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea said: "Ugo is a one-club man and that is a rarity in modern day rugby, but he is also an example of what we want to have here at the club.

"He was frustrated to miss out on the World Cup and then to pick up the injury that has kept him out for a number of weeks after starting the season so strongly.

"We know in Ugo we have a player who has got an X factor, with and without the ball, that any team would want."