Ex-England flanker Matt Kvesic joins Coventry Rugby

Coventry Rugby have confirmed the signing of highly-experienced England worldwide ahead Matt Kvesic.

The 31-year-old back-rower joins Cov from Italian facet Zebre Parma the place he completed final season following the collapse of Worcester Warriors.

Kvesic made greater than 200 senior appearances throughout a glittering Premiership profession with Worcester, Gloucester and Exeter and he now provides this expertise to a Coventry facet which claimed third place in final season’s RFU Championship.

Kvesic started his rugby journey with Swanage and Wareham RFC earlier than becoming a member of Worcester Warriors’ academy on the age of 14. After a lot of stand-out shows for county facet North Midlands and the Midlands Division the flanker earned England honours at U16 and U18 stage.

Kvesic made his senior debut for Worcester in 2009, within the course of turning into the youngest participant to signify the membership within the skilled period.

England U20 honours adopted as Kvesic turned an integral a part of the Warriors’ line-up earlier than signing for Gloucester in 2013 – the 12 months throughout which he made his first of his 4 senior appearances for England towards Argentina.

In 2017 Kvesic left Gloucester for Premiership rivals Exeter Chiefs, the place he remained till the summer season of 2020 when he returned to boyhood membership Worcester.

After being compelled to look elsewhere to proceed his taking part in profession following Worcester’s autumn collapse the flanker signed for Italian facet Zebre Parma the place he accomplished the 2022/23 season.

Kvesic mentioned he’s thrilled to observe shut buddy and former Exeter and Warriors’ teammate Will Chudley to the Butts Park Enviornment.

“I’m actually trying ahead to taking part in some rugby; I’m nonetheless actually hungry to play and contribute to the staff,” he mentioned.

“The Championship is a troublesome, aggressive league and hopefully we are able to shut the hole on these high two groups and go previous them.”

“I’ve been effectively knowledgeable by Will that it is a actual household membership, and you may see with the variety of Season Memberships simply how energetic our dwelling video games shall be. It ought to be actually good enjoyable, I’m trying ahead to it.”

Head Coach Alex Rae believes that the expertise that Matt brings shall be invaluable for his comparatively younger facet.

“We’re delighted to deliver Matt to Coventry,” he mentioned. “He’s a confirmed top-end Premiership participant who’s additionally been capped for England.

“The factor that impressed me most was his need and enthusiasm to come back and have an effect on the sphere for Coventry and likewise to assist our youthful gamers develop by sharing his expertise.

“Everybody you communicate to solely has good issues to say about Matt as an individual which was equally interesting, so we expect it’s a terrific match and one to be enthusiastic about.”