WORCESTER'S new signing Andy Currier rates his new side as the best in the division after gaining first hand experience of the Premiership's top three.

The centre has played against Worcester, Rotherham and Leeds this season with his former club London Welsh and said Worcester are top of the shop.

London Welsh beat Rotherham 20-16 in their first home game of the season but lost by a point at home to Worcester in October and later that month suffered a 23-11 defeat to Leeds at Headingley.

"Rotherham have improved from when we played them and are a hard team as anybody knows," he said. "Leeds are more intense than last year but there was only one try in our match and although they are a good side they're beatable.

"All three are very good sides but I rate Worcester as a better team than the other two."

Currier started his career in rugby league playing for Widnes and Featherstone. He won British Lions caps before being tempted to switch to union by London Welsh coach Clive Griffiths.

During two and a half seasons in the capital Currier helped his side win promotion to Premiership Two.

He has now played against Worcester five times including scoring twice in London Welsh's 28-13 victory at Sixways in 1997.

But London Welsh have hit on hard times, telling players that if any had other offers they would consider off-loading them to reduce the wage bill.

Les Cusworth showed an immediate interest in Currier and the player jumped at the chance of a move to Sixways.

"London Welsh is a lovely club with a lot of nice people but when money's involved what will be will be," he added.

"The problems are caused by all the uncertainty in the RFU. It means that clubs don't know what they are doing and where they are going, it's ridiculous."

The 33-year-old has signed for Worcester until the end of this season and will wait to see what the future holds after then.

"I feel fine right now although my fitness is a little bit down because I haven't been playing for a month because of a couple of minor injuries," he added.

"My pace has gone down a little bit but it won't take long to get back."

Certainly the sight of Currier in full cry will help him earn another contract and make his promotion prophecy come true.