London Scottish forwards Chevvy Pennycook and Ben Russell have ensured competition in the back-row will remain fiercely competitive next season after putting pen to paper on new two-year contracts today.
Former England under-20 cap Pennycook has been one of Scottish’s stand-out performers again this season having been selected in the RFU Championship Dream XV last season alongside Club captain Mark Bright.
Russell, who joined the Club from London Welsh in the summer of 2012, has been restricted to just 14 appearances this season due to injury and the form of Pennycook, Bright and Irish international flanker Neil Best.
However he remains firmly in James Buckland’s plans with the Head Coach offering him a two-year deal.
Buckland said: “We are fortunate to have some high calibre back-row players in our squad and we see both Chevvy and Ben playing prominent roles at London Scottish over the next two seasons.
“Chevvy has been outstanding this season putting in some great defensive shifts and with Mark Bright near the top of the try scoring charts, it’s easy to see why our back-row unit compliments itself really well.
“Ben at times has been outstanding this season, even when coming off the bench.
“He is a highly consistent player and a top professional to have around the Club.”
Pennycook, who has previously enjoyed spells at Moseley and in the Premiership with Bristol, says it was an easy decision to commit his long term future to London Scottish.
He said: “The Club is going in the right direction on the park and we have created a really good environment off it.
“I think we can target a big season next year.
“We are still in the hunt for a top four finish but if we don’t achieve that this year, it is a big objective of ours next season.
“We have a good core of players from this season’s squad staying and if we can add a few new faces that would make us even stronger.”
Russell, 31, added: “I couldn’t be happier.
“I really like the Club and there are some quality players in this squad.
“The back-row position is so competitive and that’s the way it should be.
“Sometimes you have to wait for your chance to impress and we are all fighting for a starting place which brings the best out you.”
