Harlequins hooker Dave Ward extends stay at The Stoop

Harlequins hooker Dave Ward has signed a new deal with the Aviva Premiership club.

The 30-year-old has made 73 appearances since joining Quins from Cornish Pirates ahead of the 2012/13 season.

Ward, who spent time with Bath, Northampton and Sale earlier in his career, was named the club's players' player of the season after the 2013/14 campaign and was rewarded with a place in the England squad for the 2014 tour of New Zealand, playing in the midweek win over the Crusaders.

He was also included in the Barbarians side to face England at Twickenham in May last year.

Ward said: "I am very proud to have re-signed for such a prestigious club and extend my stay at Harlequins.

"I'd like to thank Conor O'Shea and the coaching team for all they have done and the opportunities that have been given to me. With the way the team play and the great supporters we have, I feel Harlequins has become my home."

This season Ward has shown his versatility by playing at openside flanker on four occasions, putting in a man-of-the-match display against Cardiff Blues in the European Challenge Cup.

His best years are still to come as he took a route to the top which meant he has a lot of mileage left on the clock.

Quins director of rugby O'Shea said: "Dave is everything you want in a rugby player and some of the performances he has put in at openside for us this year show what a brilliant athlete he is.

"He is a bundle of energy who brings an infectious enthusiasm to every session. Wardy's best years are still to come as he took a route to the top that has meant he has a lot of mileage left on the clock.

"He fits our style down to a tee and shouldn't in anyway limit his ambitions despite the competition for places he faces at the club and beyond."