Du Plessis secures long-term stay in UK

London Wasps forwards Tinus du Plessis and James Cannon were handed contract extensions by Director of Rugby Dai Young, as he continues to shape his squad for next season.

Du Plessis has been rewarded for his hard-work and effort since arriving at the club from Namibia on a short-term deal in January.

Despite missing a large part of the season, towering lock Cannon has shown his huge potential since his return in recent weeks.

Dai Young said: “I have been really impressed with both of these players this season. Tinus [du Plessis] is a very versatile back-row and he has got his head down and worked incredibly hard since arriving in January.

“With the hunger and desire he has shown he is fully deserving of a permanent deal.

“James [Cannon] is a player with enormous potential and he was unlucky to miss a lot of this season with an injury but since he’s come back in he has been very impressive and I had no hesitation signing him up for next season.”

Cannon said: “With a lot of talent here in the second-row I am really happy with a new contract. It has been a frustrating season with injury for me but I have received incredible support from our medical team and I am really grateful for them to be back on the pitch now. Starting last weekend was fantastic for me and I hope I can get a good run of games together now.

Du Plessis said: “I am delighted to have secured my future with Wasps and I am hugely grateful to Dai for this opportunity. I have been learning and improving all the time in the set-up since I arrived and I feel I have a lot more to give.”

Du Plessis and Cannon are the third and fourth players at Wasps this week to have signed contract extensions following in the footsteps of Hugo Southwell and Tim Payne.