Warriors sign controversial centre (From Worcester News)

Warriors sign controversial centre

3:59pm Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in Warriors By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WORCESTER Warriors have bolstered their depleted midfield reserves by signing controversial former Bath centre Alex Crockett, who was at the centre of the drugs scandal that gripped the West Country side last June, on a two-year deal.

Having served a nine-month suspension for refusing to take a drugs test, 28-year-old Crockett attempted to relaunch his career by joining Bristol on a short-term deal in January.

With the Memorial Stadium outfit having to slash their wage bill after failing to bounce back from relegation at the first opportunity, Crockett has been released and will join Warriors for the start of next season.

In 2009, Crockett, along with flanker Michael Lipman and former Worcester wing Andrew Higgins, was sacked by Bath for refusing to take a test after a club inquiry into alleged goings-on at an end-of-season party in London.

The trio were subsequently charged by the Rugby Football Union and banned, a decision that was upheld after Crockett and Lipman appealed.

The former England Saxon will link up with Dale Rasmussen for Worcester and will help to fill the void left by the considerable departures of Sam Tuitupou, who signed for Munster, and Alex Grove, who has joined Edinburgh on loan.

Crockett, who has also played for his country at Under 21 level, made 125 appearances for Bath, scoring 21 tries, and was appointed joint-captain for the 2008/09 season.

New Worcester head coach Richard Hill said: “Alex brings great leadership qualities which made him captain at Bath. I have followed his career and from a very young age he showed great talent."

Crockett added: "I am thrilled about the opportunity that lies ahead at Sixways with Worcester Warriors, this is an exiting time for myself and the club.

“I am looking forward to working with my new team mates and coaching staff and getting the Warriors back where they belong."

The Sixways side have also added tighthead prop Oliver Tomaszczyk to their front row resources. Previously part of the Newcastle Falcons academy, the London-born 23-year-old has signed a two-year deal.

The front-rower, nicknamed Tomahawk, will join up with Warriors after completing his studies in modern languages at Oxford University.

Tomaszczyk was previously part of the England under 18 set-up alongside Tom Wood and Matt Mullan and has also played for Argentinean Division One side Lomas Athletic in 2006.

Hill added: "Oliver attracted a lot of interest from other clubs, including Munster, and so we are delighted that he has chosen the Warriors.

"Over the last few years he's dedicated himself to his studies at Oxford, culminating in his appearance in the Varsity match in which he was outstanding.

"I know the Oxford coach Steve Hill very well as we coached the England Students together and he has excellent judgment."