Former Stewartry youth player Alex Craig has signed a new contract with Premiership Rugby side Gloucester.
The 23-year-old lock broke into the first team at the start of the 2019-20 season and his performances earned him a call up to Gregor Townsend's 2020 Six Nations squad.
He signed his first professional contract last year and is regarded as an exciting prospect for Gloucester, having come through the clubs’s academy system.
Craig has made 21 appearances for the club so far, including a man-of-the-match performance in the Heineken Champions Cup fixture with Montpellier.
Commenting on his new deal, Craig, from Castle Douglas, said: “I’ve really enjoyed my rugby at Gloucester so it was an easy decision to extend my contract.
“I’ve had plenty of opportunities this season to break through into the first team and show what I can do, so I’m really looking forward to continue fighting for my place and pulling on the Cherry and White jersey again.”
Gloucester’s chief executive Lance Bradley said: “Alex has shown just how much potential he has this season.
“Being recognised for an international call-up is credit to the work he’s put in so far and it’s important for him now to kick on and keep developing.
“It’s a tribute to Alex, and the academy, that he’s been able to make his mark so quickly after signing a senior deal.”
Craig spent most of his youth playing rugby for Stewartry before a spell at Dumfries.
After his promotion to the senior set up he said: “It’s my lifetime goal to represent Scotland. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about doing.”
