WORCESTER Rugby Club are set to decide whether Exeter prop James Alvis can solve a mini crisis in their front row.

Talks are continuing to see if the 28-year-old can bolster a squad which has now seen three props leave during the summer.

Pete Mitchell joined Moseley last month and James Broady has now signed for Midland rivals Coventry despite being named in the Worcester squad to play Malvern last Sunday.

Worcester have also confirmed that Stuart Turner has joined Rotherham so despite Tony Windo moving to Sixways the club has two less props than last season.

And hooker Gordie Houston has also signed for Moseley ending three seasons with Worcester.

Alvis impressed against Worcester last season and has now spent a week training at Sixways including 80 minutes of action in the second team friendly against Malvern.

He has scored six tries in each of the last two campaigns in Allied Dunbar Premiership Two and even finished Exeter's top scorer two seasons ago.

Worcester hope to make an announcement today about Alvis becoming the club's 16th summer signing.

Decisions are also due on three other trialists, Simon Morgan, a full-back from Gloucester, Blackheath number eight Dave Merlin, and New Zealand prop Rob Allison.

Turner was signed from cash-strapped Orrell in December alongside Phil Manley. Both have now moved to Rotherham. Turner started five first team games for Worcester and made four appearances on the replacements' bench.

Broady was a summer signing from last season but never figured in Les Cusworth's first team plans.