Lamb: Local boy

When you talk about the young players who have the potential to go a long way in this game, Ryan's name is in that list.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan
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Ryan Lamb has signed a two-year contract extension with Gloucester, keeping him at his hometown club until 2010.

The 21-year-old has been instrumental this season in helping the Cherry and Whites to the top of the Guinness Premiership, as well as an unbeaten record in the Heineken Cup.

His individual performances have also led to calls for the talented number 10 to be given a chance at international level with England.

However, Lamb, who insists he never had any interest in leaving Gloucester, is only focused on continuing his good start to the campaign.

Fantastic experience

"Being a local kid, nothing gives me greater satisfaction than pulling on a Gloucester shirt and running out at Kingsholm," he told the club's website.

"It is a fantastic experience and I hope I can continue doing it for many years to come.

"There has been a lot said and a lot written about me but I have just concentrated on my rugby.

"It was up to me to go out and earn a contract, to show the coaches I had the ability to mature, learn and make myself a better player.

"These things are not just handed out and in that respect I am really pleased to have made the progress I have this season."

Lamb is the latest big name to commit to Kingsholm, following the lead of team-mates Peter Buxton, Alex Brown, Marco Bortolami, Andy Hazell and James Simpson-Daniel in agreeing new terms.

Potential

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan is certainly delighted that Lamb is staying put and believes the fly-half is beginning to mature as a player.

"When you talk about the young players who have the potential to go a long way in this game, Ryan's name is in that list," he said on www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk .

"For a club like Gloucester, it is very important it maintains that historical link to the community by developing home-grown players and Ryan has been central to our progress this season.

"We asked him to go away and develop a more all-round game to match his running and distributional qualities and he is doing that now much more consistently."