New back row Jonathan Thomas says he is excited by the challenge ahead after arriving at Sixways for pre-season training and determined to make his name in a new league.
Thomas joined Warriors after spending a decade with RaboDirect PRO 12 side Ospreys and has now set his mind on making a huge impression at Worcester.
He said: “I’m starting from scratch and it’s a new challenge and a great opportunity so I’m excited about it.
“I’ve built up a bit of a reputation in one part of the world but then you come somewhere new and you have to do that all over again – you try to impress people and try and gain the respect of your team-mates.
“I’m looking forward to playing rugby with all the guys. I’m still getting to know a lot of them as people and as players but I’m settling in well.”
The club announced Thomas was joining the club at the end of May and Thomas admits that the Dean Ryan factor played a huge role in his decision to move to Sixways.
He continued: “The real time I made my mind up was the first time I came up and spoke to Dean. Dean is a very well respected coach and I’m looking forward to working with someone of his calibre.
“And it just felt right. I haven’t played at Sixways since 2007 and the new stand has gone up since then. The facilities here are pretty mind-blowing.”
Thomas currently has 67 caps for Wales and was selected for eight consecutive Six Nations squads between 2004 and 2011.
The back row can also boast a Rugby World Cup try against Australia and insists he is still hungry to build on his international career.
He added: “I’m still only 30. I haven’t played for Wales for a couple of years and I’m well aware there are some good young players in Wales but I’m still very ambitious.
“But you need to play well consistently so that’s what I’m looking to do. I really want to impress at Sixways and get a good run of games going and hopefully other things will come from that.”
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“I’ve built up a bit of a reputation in one part of the world but then you come somewhere new and you have to do that all over again – you try to impress people and try and gain the respect of your teammates…"