Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has revealed how skipper Pat Sanderson has praised the signing of new Warrior Neil Best – describing the back row as the best he had faced in the Guinness Premiership over the last two years.
Warriors announced the signing of Best on a two-year deal on Tuesday with the Northampton Saints man making the move to Sixways this summer.
Ireland international Best is now set to line-up with Sanderson and boss Ruddock revealed the Sixways skipper has given the move a ringing endorsement.
“Neil is a quality player and is hugely regarded and respected in British rugby,” said Ruddock.
“When I spoke to Pat (Sanderson) to tell him who we were going to sign he said he was the best back row forward he has played against in the Guinness Premiership in the last two years.
“That is the sort of quality this guy has and we are delighted that he is on board. To get a quality guy like him, after losing someone like Tom Wood, is great news for us.
“You have to look at what has happened with Tom (Wood) in perspective,” added Ruddock. “We have a great Academy here, really creating good options for us.
“We have secured the majority of the guys we want for the future, for example Matt Mullan has been called into the full England squad and has decided to stay with us. He has resisted the overtures of a lot of clubs.
“Miles Benjamin is the same as again he had being chased elsewhere. You look at someone like Alex Grove who has come through and gone on to player international rugby for Scotland. He wants to stay at the club and signed a new deal last year.
“There is always going to be the odd one or two guys who decide their future lies elsewhere, that is rugby. But as one door closes another one opens and we feel Neil Best is a class act.
“There are various things going on at this time of year, it is when players start to think about whether or not they will move.
“There are a number of options available to us and we hope to continue with some good news during the coming weeks in that regard.
“We are also hoping that we are able to announce that others have committed their future to the Warriors and we are very excited at the moment about how things are going and the squad we are going to put together for next year.
“What we have got to do is keep performing this year and make sure we are in a good position to kick on next season with the signings we have made like Neil Best.
“Those signings are significant in terms of the leadership this guy will bring us, the toughness he will bring and the experience to pass onto young players like Matt Cox, James Collins and Matt Kvesic, who has just played Under 18s for England.”