BRIGHT spark Joe Morris will be among five tighthead props in Worcester Warriors' squad next season.

Morris, 20, will step up from the academy after completing a degree in biomedical science at St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

Nick Schonert has a firm grip on the number three jersey but will face competition from four props in the 2019-20 campaign.

Farai Mudariki, Morris and new signings Conor Carey and Richard Palframan will look to challenge Schonert for the shirt.

“Joe is another of our academy lads who has graduated to the senior ranks,” director of rugby Alan Solomons said.

“He is a good lad who, freed from the demands of academic studies, will no doubt avail himself of the opportunity which next season presents.”

Morris the joined the senior academy set-up in the summer of 2016 having represented Warriors and England at under 16s and under 18s levels.

The former King Edward VI, Aston student had a spell on a dual registration with Henley Hawks in National Two South last season and has been a regular with Cavaliers in this season’s Premiership Rugby Shield.

He has yet to make his first-team debut for Warriors but was an unused replacement in the European Challenge Cup victories over Ospreys and Stade Francais in January.

Academy manager Chim Gale is delighted to see Morris follow in the footsteps of Josh Adams, Ted Hill, Jamie Shillcock, Will Butler and Ollie Lawrence who have come through the club’s youth system.

“It shows that our pathway is working,” Gale said.

“Players who do well in the senior academy will be rewarded with the opportunity to move up to the senior squad.”