NEWCOMER Alafoti Fa’osiliva is the type of player Worcester Warriors have been “looking for," insists high performance director Nick Johnston.

Johnston believes the Samoan international back-row will give Warriors “front-foot ball” to get their “exciting backline firing”.

The powerhouse, who spent much of his early career on the international Sevens circuit, has joined Warriors less than three months after being sacked by Aviva Premiership rivals Bath.

Fa’osiliva was dismissed by Bath in May after admitting causing actual bodily harm on a student in the city centre and received a suspended prison sentence.

Johnston said: “We have talked about things and put some pretty strict guidelines around him (Fa’osiliva).

“I am not condoning what happened and he’s very remorseful for what he did.

“It’s the first time he’s been in trouble in his life.

“We have spoken to people we know and respect in the game and they gave us a clear indication of what a good person he was on and off the field.

“We are happy with that and he knows our expectations on behaviour on and off the field and he’s bought into that process.

“He’s got five children and a nice wife and we are looking forward to him  being part of our Worcester family.”

Johnston admitted ball-carrying back-row forwards were “scarce” in the market and revealed Fa’osiliva’s capture has delighted Warriors’ backs coach Sam Vesty.

Fa’osiliva has also played for Bristol and Toulon and the 30-year-old appeared for Samoa in their win over Tonga in June’s Pacific Nations Cup.

“Fa’osiliva is a ball carrier and that’s what we were looking for,” said Johnston.

“They are scarce in the market and we’ve found someone who will give us front-foot ball to get our exciting backline firing.

“The coaches are happy, especially Sam Vesty who is pleased we’ve got a ball carrier.

“Carl Hogg was in the middle of the signing so it’s good for the club and the group and it just gives us a different dimension, which is key.”

Fa’osiliva has bedded straight into the squad and is part of Warriors’ 43-man party who have travelled to Tignes, France, for an intensive training camp.

Johnston added: “We now have a balance across the squad.

“We waited and waited and eventually found the right player.

“We met him and his family several times and we were happy he was right for this club.”