Grant’s in to help Warriors stave off relegation

INCOMING Worcester director of rugby Gary Gold will have the services of 25-cap Scotland loosehead Ryan Grant on board to help fight the relegation battle.

The 31-year-old, who was an unused replacement in the second Test of the 2013 Lions tour of Australia, joins Sixways with immediate effect from Glasgow.

"The Aviva Premiership is a fierce league and I am looking forward to the challenge of going head-tohead with some of the best props in the world,” said Grant.

Worcester also confirmed that tighthead Biyi Alo has signed a permanent deal to remain at Sixways after initially joining from Saracens on loan as injury cover.

Exeter have signed lock Toby Salmon from Rotherham and wing Tom O’Flaherty from the Ospreys, both on two-year deals for next season.

Boss Rob Baxter said: Baxter said: “We have always been happy to look at the Championship, particularly in the front-five. We know the qualities we are looking for and we have quite a good record of bringing guys through.

“In regards to Toby, we have had a good look around and having closely analysed his game, we saw a lot of the qualities we like and think will make him thrive in the Premiership.

Harlequins have strengthened their front row by drafting in 22-yearold tighthead Tyler Gendall from the Cornish Pirates and extending Samoan hooker Elia Elia’s short-term contract until the end of the season.

Carlo Festuccia has rejoined Wasps for the remainder of the end of the season.

The 36-year-old Italian hooker left at the end of last season after three years at the club to join Zebre but returns to replace Edd Shervington who is going back to his farming business in Wales.

Charlie Amesbury will leave Bristol at the end of the season to concentrate on his studies at Cambridge University and Bath prop Henry Thomas has signed a new three-year deal to stay at the Rec.