Chris Pennell to leave Sixways

Chris Pennell’s glittering playing career with Warriors will come to an end at the end of this season after 253 appearances in a career which began with a Premiership debut against Bath in 2007.

𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘆.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗱.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, @chris_pennell 👑

— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) June 10, 2021

Pennell, 34, was capped by England on their summer tour of New Zealand in 2014 and will bow out at Sixways with 426 points, including 43 tries, to his name.

The cancellation of Saturday’s final Gallagher Premiership match of the season against Gloucester Rugby due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Gloucester camp, has denied Pennell the opportunity to make a farewell appearance at Sixways but the full-back will depart with many fond memories of his time at the club.

Warriors Head Coach Jonathan Thomas played alongside Pennell in the 2015 Championship final and believes that his departure marks the end of an era.

“I played with Pens when I first came here. He’s an awesome person, an awesome friend and everyone knows what a loyal servant he has been over a long period of time and a consistent performer,” said Thomas.

“He has been through some real adversity in his life on and off the field. What has really impressed me is how consistent and measured he is as a person which massively helps those around him.

“He has always had very high standards as a professional and that is why he has been so consistent on the field.

“I have no doubt that he will be a success in whatever he does because he is a class act as a bloke and the way he carries himself.

“I am sad it’s the end of an era because he is a special man. The club will not feel the same without him around as a player because it feels like he has been Worcester.”