Duncan Weir: Worcester Warriors and Scotland stand-off signs new two-year deal

Duncan Weir has a 91% kicking accuracy with 30 from 33 attempts in the Premiership this season

Worcester Warriors stand-off Duncan Weir has signed a two-year contract extension with the Premiership club.

Weir, 27, arrived from Edinburgh in the summer on a one-year deal, but is now tied to Sixways on a deal until 2021.

After a 2017-18 season marred by injury and illness, the 27-times capped number 10's form earned a recall to Scotland's autumn international squad.

"Duncan has shown that he is one of the best fly-halves in the Premiership," said director of rugby Alan Solomons.

"He has been a key player for us this season and has given the team real direction. And his kicking has been superb."

After giving up on the chance of a career in football (he played centre-half for Celtic's youth team), boyhood Rangers fan Weir began his career with his home-town rugby club Glasgow Warriors in 2010 before moving to Edinburgh in 2016.

But his career with Edinburgh, where he first encountered Warriors boss Solomons, was put on hold last season by a four-month lay-off recovering from a bacterial infection.

Back 'in the saddle' at Sixways

In an attempt to solve an early-season groin injury, he had a steroid injection but the resulting infection left him bed-ridden and having to walk on crutches.

"I had some dark days when I had my infection," said Weir. "It wasn't the best time.

"I had a frustrating year. But now I'm just enjoying playing my rugby and I feel very valued here at Worcester, not just by the coaching staff but by my peers too.

"Just getting back in the saddle and playing rugby has been a massive release. Life's an enjoyable place again.

"My wife has noticed it the most. When you come home, you're happy, you're playing and you're releasing all those endorphins.

"When you're not getting picked, you're a grumpy old sportsman. You're down in the dumps if you're sore and achy."

A Scotland recall?

When the Six Nations comes round in 2019, it will be coming up for two years since Weir won the most recent of his 27 caps.

He would love the chance to pitch for a place in the 2019 World Cup squad by resuming an international career which began with his points-scoring debut against France in 2012.

But he insists that to have any chance he must maintain the form he has shown so far at Worcester.

His three tries and 30 successful kicks out of a possible 33 have helped the Warriors to ninth in the Premiership, two points off the bottom, but only seven points off a top-four place, in one of the most competitive seasons since the professional era began.

"I would love to play for Scotland," he added. "But you can only do that by having a good club record and playing well for Worcester.

Duncan Weir's last-minute drop-goal to beat Italy in Rome in 2014 remains the highlight of his Scotland career

"I can't get too far ahead of myself. I just need to focus on playing well for Worcester and repaying the faith the coaches showed in me."

Whereas his Worcester international team-mate Josh Adams faces the problems of having to go back to Wales next season, if he is allowed to carry on playing for his country, Weir certainly does not see playing in England as a drawback.

"I don't believe being in Scotland would have a massive factor," he said. "Just playing regularly is the biggest thing. Just having a run of games, you almost just get into a routine and I'm playing with a smile on my face and having fun out there."