WARRIORS are poised to complete a double swoop on the Championship by signing Rotherham Titans duo Semisi Taulava and Rob O’Donnell.

The two new recruits will add significant bulk to the Worcester pack with giant number eight Taulava standing 6ft 5ins and weighing in at 20 stone, while tighthead prop O’Donnell is the same height and in excess of 19 stone.

With Worcester believed to be keen to retain the services of out-of-contract first-choice tighthead Tevita Taumoepeau, the signing of former Sale Sharks front-rower O’Donnell — as well as the recent capture of prop John Andress from Exeter — should complete Hill’s resources at number three.

Therefore, it seems increasingly likely that former Scotland international Bruce Douglas and tighthead Oliver Tomaszcyck will be released when their contracts expire at the end of this season.

The English second tier has been a happy hunting ground for Worcester chief Richard Hill since he took the reins at Sixways with the likes of flanker Sam Betty and number eight Blair Cowan both joining from Cornish Pirates and making an impact in the Aviva Premiership.

Cowan has hit the ground running since switching to the top-flight and it is believed Hill would be keen to retain the services of Kai Horstmann, who is also out of contract this summer, so the addition of Taulava would amount to an impressive array of options in the number eight jersey.

Samoan number eight Richard Muagututia, who joined Worcester on a short-term deal this season, is unlikely to be kept on for a second season.

Taulava, a 29-year-old former Wanganui and Taranaki back-rower, has spent one season at Rotherham after Titans head coach Andre Bester took him to Clifton Lane from Birmingham and Solihull Bees.

Capped at under 21 level for Tonga, Taulava missed two entire years of action after suffering a serious neck injury earlier in his career.

O’Donnell is 26 years old and has had spells at Sale Sharks and Waterloo as well as winning England Counties honours.