Head Coach Richard Hill believes new recruit Ezra Taylor can make an immediate impact at Sixways – and revealed he had already targeted the Samoan international before the back row injury crisis at Warriors.
Former Reds, Highlanders and Connacht ace Taylor – who can play Number Eight, flanker or at lock – is expected arrive in the coming weeks.
Hill, who admits his new signing could yet feature against Leicester Tigers in the sold out Christmas fixture, believes Taylor can quickly fit into his new surroundings and has the rugby background to make an immediate impression.
And he revealed he had pinpointed Taylor as a potential mew face for next season but had now moved sooner for the Brisbane-born back row following injuries to Kai Horstmann, Adam Balding, Neil Best and Matt Kvesic.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Ezra and believe he will be a major capture for the Warriors,” said Hill.
“We wanted a powerful player to add to our back row as we have come across, and continue to face, some big players this season, with the likes of Thomas Waldrom at Leicester Tigers and Francois Louw at Bath.
“We originally looked at Ezra over the summer with a view to recruiting him in the future. Phil Davies and I both really liked the look of him at the Pacific Nations Cup for Samoa.
“He has a strong rugby CV, having featured for the Reds, Highlanders and Connacht, and will add a real level of physicality to the squad.
“Ezra will join us in the coming weeks and there is a good chance he could be involved against Leicester Tigers.”