NEW fly-half Jono Lance has the “cool head” winless Worcester Warriors need in the pressure cooker of the Aviva Premiership, insists director of rugby Gary Gold.

The 27-year-old stand-off has signed a short-term deal “until the end of this year” and looks set to make his debut in Warriors’ clash at Bath on Saturday (3pm).

With Tom Heathcote (concussion) and Ryan Mills (quad) out, Worcester were left with youngsters Jamie Shillcock and Sam Olver to contest the number 10 shirt.

And Gold admitted he was keen to act quickly to snap up the more experienced Lance who will join up with Super Rugby outfit Melbourne Rebels at the start of 2018.

“When Ryan came back we were OK, but with only Shilly and Sam left it was quite a big burden on their shoulders,” Gold said.

“I want them to feel they have got the support of a slightly more experienced individual.

“Jono was one of the guys we were speaking to. He was just waiting to find out what was going on with his situation in Australia.

“He has got a new contract with the Rebels and was waiting to find out whether he was going to be involved in the Australia set-up.”

Gold added: “He will be here until the end of this year as he has got to go back to fulfil his Super Rugby commitments as he has signed for the Rebels.

“Hopefully he will plug a hole and give the group a bit of confidence.”

Lance featured for Western Force in their 2017 Super Rugby campaign and starred for Perth Spirit in their 2016 title-winning National Rugby Championship season.

After being named on the bench last winter for Australia against France, Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika tipped Lance to make his Test debut.

But an injury sustained for a Wallaby XV against the French Barbarians saw him condemned to the sidelines.

Lance also represented New South Wales Country Eagles where he was named as National Rugby Championship Player of the Season in 2015.

With Warriors languishing at the foot of the table after five successive wins, he will now focus on changing their fortunes.

And Gold was confident Lance would be able to make a difference as they target their first league win this term.

“Already this week he has shown a cool head,” Gold said.

“I know him well as I have played against him a few times in Super Rugby.

“He is a good goal kicker and quite a good little general.

“He is on the radar of the national team, so he has got a confidence about him and I think his experience and a cooler head in these tough times is probably what we need.

“He’s looked very comfortable in training and has fitted in like a hand in a glove.”