WORCESTER Warriors are planning to beef up Will Butler ahead of his first season in the senior squad.

The 20-year-old centre has landed a two-year first-team contract that will see him graduate from Warriors’ academy.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons believes Butler has a “bright future” but admits the rising star needs to get “bigger and stronger” to compete in the Gallagher Premiership.

Solomons revealed he would meet with Warriors’ head of performance Johan Pretorius to put together a conditioning plan for Butler to add extra pounds next summer.

“Will is only 20 years old,” Solomons said.

“In some cases you get guys like Ted Hill who mature very early.

“Will will be a later developer but we can aid and abet that development through a good conditioning programme in the off-season which we will deal with.

“There are a number of guys that are in the same position that we will pay attention to.

“Johan has been away for a day or two but when he comes back I will sit down with him.”

Butler joined Warriors’ youth set-up aged 14 and made his way up the age groups, helping the under 18s to finals day success in 2016 and 2017. He made his senior debut against Enisei-STM in October 2016 and scored two tries against Northampton Saints last season in only his second Premiership appearance.

“Will is a terrific young player,” Solomons added.

“He has got a good rugby brain, a good skillset and is a good decision-maker.

“He is still a young boy and obviously he will get bigger and stronger and we will make sure he does.

“There is a bright future ahead of him.

“I am really pleased with all the boys in the academy.

“We’ve got Kai Owen at loosehead, Joe Morris at tighthead and Beck Cutting at hooker coming through.

“Cleggy (Justin Clegg) and Kitch (Andrew Kitchener) are with us too and then you have got Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill, Will and Nick David. That’s really powerful.”

After helping England to reach the World Rugby Under 20 Championship final in the summer Butler sustained an elbow injury which required surgery.

The Ledbury-born back is now back to full fitness and featured off the bench in Warriors’ 21-6 European Challenge Cup defeat at Pau this month.

Butler said: “I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Sixways so I am naturally delighted to have signed a new deal.

“Solly and the coaches have been clear about where they are taking the club and the players have all bought in to what they are working to achieve.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had at Warriors and I am excited about the journey ahead.”