Western Force prop Pek Cowan has re-signed with the Perth-based franchise for three more Super Rugby seasons.

Cowan, who has been at the Force since 2006, joins Ben McCalman, Nick Cummins, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Cameron Shepherd and Sam Wykes as key players to have re-committed to the Force for next year.

But the future of James O'Connor is still unclear, with all five Australian franchises chasing his signature.

Cowan has played four Tests for the Wallabies and feels his best chance of breaking back into Robbie Deans' set-up will be by performing well for the Force.

"Perth is where I see my rugby really taking off," Cowan said.

"I was given a fantastic opportunity here to play Super Rugby and was able to use that to push for a Wallabies position.

"My main focus this year was to play consistently well and the feedback I've been getting from the coaches has been positive.

"I want to get better and better and I feel that this is the right environment for me to do that.

"The World Cup is in the back of the minds of everyone currently playing Super Rugby and to push my case for inclusion in that side is definitely one of my goals.

"However, first and foremost it is all about playing well for the Western Force."

Cowan, 24, is the third member of the Force front row to commit to new deals recently, following on from hooker Ben Whittaker and fellow prop Kieran Longbottom

"I think we have a fantastic mix for Super Rugby, a combination of good size and good mobility," Cowan said.

"We'll all be able to continue to learn together and that is an exciting prospect for me and a big reason why I wanted to stay."

Force coach Richard Graham feels he has the talent at his disposal to create a formidable front row.

"Any side that is going to win things needs to have the foundation up front and in Pek, Ben Whittaker and Kieran Longbottom, who have all re-signed this year, along with Nathan Charles, we feel we have the core group of a very good front row," Graham said.

The Force will be aiming to make it three wins on the trot when they take on the Crusaders in Perth on Saturday night.

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