Worcester Warriors have confirmed the signings of Semisi Taulava and Rob O'Donnell from Rotherham for next season.
Worcester snap up Rotherham duo Taulava and O'Donnell
Worcester Warriors have confirmed the signings of Semisi Taulava and Rob O'Donnell from Rotherham for next season.
Tongan No.8 Taulava, who has had previous stints at Wanganui, Taranaki, Worthing and Birmingham & Solihull, had attracted the attentions of a number of clubs following a blockbusting season in the RFU Championship.
And Warriors forwards coach Phil Davies is expecting the 29-year-old to make a big impact in the top flight.
He said: "If you look around for outstanding ball-carrying No.8 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."
Impressed
Powerhouse prop O'Donnell has had a previous taste of life in the Premiership after spending two seasons at Sale before moving to the Titans.
And the 26-year-old tighthead has certainly impressed Davies with his exploits in the Championship.
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."
