Worcester Warriors have today announced the signing of giant Number Eight Semisi Taulava and powerhouse prop Rob O’Donnell from RFU Championship side Rotherham Titans.
The star pack duo, who have shone at Clifton Lane this season, will move to Sixways from the start of the 2012/13 season.
Tongan enforcer Taulava, who stands 6ft 5in and weighs 20 stone, has made his impact known throughout the RFU Championship this term to attract many admiring glances from the top-flight.
The 29-year-old has previously played at Wanganui, Taranaki, Worthing and at Birmingham & Solihull before his year at Titans.
Forwards Coach Phil Davies said of Taulava’s signing: “If you look around the Aviva Premiership for outstanding ball carrying Number Eights you automatically think of the likes of Nick Easter and Ben Morgan. We feel Semisi can become one of those kind of player for us.
“He is a very big forward who carries the ball well and has all the right attributes to make a massive impression here. He is destructive with his size and asks questions of everyone he plays against.
“Semisi will add real power to our set piece and more confrontation to our set of forwards. For a big man he is also agile and gives us another lineout option. He defends well in the rucks and in the wide channels. There is something different about him and he will definitely add to ball carrying and our driving game.”
O’Donnell who has had playing spells at Sale Sharks and Waterloo, stands a menacing 6ft 5in and weighs over 19 stone in the front row.
The highly-rated prop, 26, has been a key component in the powerful pack at Rotherham in recent times.
Davies added: “Everybody is always looking for quality tighthead props and we have been very fortunate in recent times that Tevita (Taumoepeau) has been the cornerstone of our pack.
“Rob has been, in my opinion, the outstanding tighthead prop in the RFU Championship. He has had previous Premiership experience at Sale Sharks and is excited to get back and show his ability at this level.
“We feel he has fantastic potential to develop into an outstanding prop in the Premiership. He is a strong scrummager and is an abrasive player with ball in hand. He is also a good defender, especially around the rucks.
“Rob is a young player who wants to come into our set-up, develop and do well. He is the right character fit for us, a team man who works very hard. Both Rob and Semisi will be excellent additions to our squad.”