Giant prop Rob O’Donnell is determined to make an impression when he makes the move to Worcester Warriors – and paid tribute to Rotherham Titans for helping him secure his move to Sixways.
O’Donnell previously had a four-year spell at Sale Sharks before making a real name for himself at Clifton Lane with the Titans.
The 26-year-old – who stands a menacing 6ft 5in in the front row – will now make a switch to Sixways this summer after the completion of the RFU Championship play-offs and acknowldegs he owes a debt of gratitude to the Titans and coach Andre Bester.
“I’m very excited about the move,” said O’Donnell. “I’ve been at Rotherham for a number of years and have come up against Worcester. I played in the game at Sixways at the start of last season and was really impressed with the set-up.
“It’s a great club with the way it has come back up to the top-flight and shown is has learnt from its experience and grown. It is heading in the right direction and after going back to basics in the Championship is now growing. There is a hard edge about the club.
“I have really enjoyed my time at Rotherham. I was out with an injury last season and the club stood by my and Andre Bester has been great. I have now been given a great chance at Worcester but I owe a debt of gratitude to the Titans and the fans who have supported me.
“I was at Sale for four years with two in the Academy and then two in the first team set-up,” he added. “It was a good time but I was used as cover for a few positions. I’m a better player now and want to show what I have learnt.
“Worcester is a developing team and looking to push up the table. You look at some of the players in the squad and you have the likes of Matt Mullan, who I’ve huge respect for and who has pushed into the England Saxons set-up. I also know Chris Jones from my Sale days.
“My focus now remains on Rotherham – we play Leeds this weekend in the play-offs eager to bounce back after the disappointment of late defeat to Bedford Blues last week.
“We have a good chance to put it right in an away local derby. We’ve had a good training week and it’s a big game for us.”
O’Donnell also tipped fellow Titans ace Semisi Taulava to make his impact known at Sixways added: “Semisi is a really good player. A really powerful ball carrier who has been terrific for us this year. Under Phil Davies, and surrounded by the pack of forwards at Worcester, he can only get better.”