New signing Ben Te’o admits he can’t wait to get the new season underway as Warriors look forward to Saturday’s Aviva Premiership opener against Saracens.
The powerful centre will be a key figure in the midfield at Sixways this season, and begins life at Twickenham against the European and league champions Saracens in the London Double Header.
A year ago Saracens proved too good for Warriors, powering to a 48-18 win on the same stage, and will be just as formidable after their historic double last season.
But Te’o insists he is ready for a first game at Twickenham after his move from Leinster this summer.
He said: “It’s another experience and another ground for me. I am sure it will be a great turnout.
“Everyone is just excited to get going. They are a great team who have had a lot of success over the last few seasons.
“We’ll have to play well but we’re excited to play on a big stage like this to start the season.
“I’m settling in at Worcester. It’s just about sorted now though so that I can really focus on the rugby.”
In two years with Leinster, Te’o showed what a danger he could be, and will provide valuable thrust in the centre for his new team.
And it wasn’t just those in Ireland whose eye he caught, getting a call-up to the England squad to tour Australia this summer, qualifying for them through his mother.
Te’o joined up with Eddie Jones and his squad, and although he didn’t feature in the 3-0 whitewash of the Wallabies, he learned a lot from the experience.
He explained: “It was a great opportunity for me to be given the chance to go away with those guys.
“For my rugby, it’s great to be able to take part in something like that and I learned a lot with Eddie Jones and Glen Ella.
“I don’t feel any pressure coming to Worcester. I have my own expectations here and I’ve spoken to the coaches about what they expect of me and then we can take it from there.”
Start the Aviva Premiership Rugby Season in style with two games from £25 at Twickenham. Harlequins v Bristol Rugby and Saracens v Worcester Warriors in the London Double Header, 3 September. Tickets available from ticketmaster.co.uk