WORCESTER Rugby Club are poised to unveil Simon Devereux as their 12th summer signing.

The Gloucester forward is believed to have agreed terms with the Sixways club after also being tempted by a new contract at Kingsholm.

His signing will be announced at a press conference to be held at Sixways later today.

Devereux's arrival will be another big boost for Worcester in their battle to win promotion from Allied Dunbar Premiership Two.

The 28-year-old number eight, a Scotland under 21 international, will become the fifth player to move from Gloucester to Worcester this summer, following in the footsteps of Dave Sims, Tony Windo, Nathan Carter and Chris Hall.

He had been offered a new one-year full-time deal at Kingsholm after the expiry of his previous contract, but has turned it down in favour of a new challenge at Sixways.

Devereux, no relation to former Welsh international John Devereux who played at Sixways last season and who is now playing at Bridgend, has successfully switched from lock to number eight in recent years.

He made his debut for his home-town club in 1990 and played 138 first-team games for them.

Devereux, who is six feet three inches tall, was a first-choice player at the start of last season but broke a leg and dislocated an ankle in a Premiership One match against Bedford in November and missed the rest of the season. However, he has since battled his way back to fitness.

He becomes Worcester's second signing this week following the capture of 18-year-old Waterloo centre Michael Swetman.