JOHN Brain hopes to have found the winning formula after snapping up chemistry graduate Gareth Mason from Swansea.

The 6ft, 18 stone former Wales Under 21 loose-head prop has signed a deal designed to keep him at Sixways until 2004.

Mason played two Warriors games late last season against Leicester and Harlequins and the 23-year-old impressed Worcester's director of rugby Brain enough to win a contract for next season's all-important promotion campaign.

Mason, who has played 30 times for Swansea, will now battle with Tony Windo and George Davis for the loose-head spot, while Neil Lyman and Adrian Olver will go head to head for the tight-head role.

"He's got some European experience from his time with Swansea," said Brain. "He was a member of the Wales Under 21 side which won the grand slam so even though he is young, he already has a lot of experience.

"The problem he's had at Swansea is that he's been behind an all-international front row in Darren Morris, Ben Evans and Garin Jenkins. These guys are on big money and unfortunately at Swansea that appears to have an effect on selection."

Mason is Brain's 10th acquisition of the close season after bringing in Werner Swanepoel, Chris Pearson, Nnamdi Ezulike, James Ogilvie-Bull, Richard Bates, Mark Gabey, Craig Hudson, Adrian Olver and Hugo Southwell.

After seeing the former Ebbw Vale player on trial, Brain is convinced Mason is the right calibre of player for Sixways.

"Mason is another who fits into the mould of a player who has become frustrated at his current club and is moving for the right reasons.

"We played in him two Warriors games. One was at Leicester against a very strong pack. He played loose-head against the current England 'A' tight-head Ricky Nebbett and came through the game extremely well, scored a try and we went on to win the match," said Brain.

"He's a very intelligent guy and he's a rare breed because he's a prop with sevens experience. We feel he has a lot of potential. He's big, strong, quick and skilful."