JOHN O'Reilly's season-long stay at Sixways is over with Worcester ready to swoop for Matt Powell.

The former Leeds scrum-half was told yesterday that he could look for another club with Worcester in talks with the former Harlequins man.

I understand that Worcester coach Andy Keast met Powell last week over a move and the club are close to agreeing a deal with the 25-year-old.

Powell's arrival will mean an end to O'Reilly's one season stay which saw him as understudy to club captain Werner Swanepoel.

Powell is an experienced Premiership nine having spent time at Saracens and Quins.

The deal should be concluded in the next 48 hours and will then allow director of rugby John Brain to concentrate on his final transfer targets, a fly half and a prop.

Sale have signed former England Schools scrum-half Mark Simpson-Daniel, brother of Gloucester and England wing James.

The 18-year-old, who attended Sedbergh School, will join the Zurich Premiership club's youth set-up.