SATEKI Tuipulotu has revealed he will quit Worcester Rugby Club in the summer and return to his native Tonga.

The larger-than-life full-back, who arrived at Sixways in October 1999 after a successful World Cup campaign, has decided to end his Worcester career after a disappointing season.

The 30-year-old has been an ever present in the Worcester side over the past two years but under head coach John Brain has featured only occasionally.

The current Tongan international, however, has endured a difficult year with the death of his mother and a string of troublesome injuries.

Tuipulotu became a cult hero at Sixways with his rampaging running style coupled with a deadly boot which has smashed records since his move from Leeds Tykes to Worcester.

Back in January, he set a new personal record points tally against Henley when he scored a hat-trick of tries on the way to a 32-point haul.

However, he has played just 13 times under Brain and it has now become clear that his first choice number 15 is Duncan Roke.

Tuipulotu, who remains the leading points scorer at the club this season with 108, admitted that he would be sorry to leave.

"I'm going home but I will take some great memories with me," he said. "Worcester have been great to me and both the coaches have been very honest.

"Of course I am sad to leave but I've now got the World Cup with Tonga to concentrate on and a busy summer of internationals.

"I would like to thank Worcester, the supporters and the people because they have been very good to me. I would love to be able to get back on the pitch and thank them properly before I leave.

"The coaches said I could return home now but I wanted to honour my contract until the end of the season.

"It's been a very difficult time for me with the loss of my mother and it has taken its toll. I am determined, however, to leave Worcester on good terms."

Tuipulotu will line up for the Warriors tonight in one of his final appearances for the club in a rearranged Sixways fixture against Harlequins (7.30).

The game, originally due to be played last night, was put back 24 hours because of surface water on the Sixways pitch yesterday.

Brain will blood former Munster under 21 prop Dan O'Connell and Swansea's Gareth Mason in the front row while Sale Sharks' Bernard Jackman is handed a chance to impress at hooker.

South African lock Johann Brink plays while Chris Moule and Chris Wilkes will be given a run-out along with winger Simon Lewis who will hope to continue his free-scoring Warriors form against a strong Quins side.

Warriors: Tuipulotu; Moule, Wilkes, Meredith, Lewis; Higgins, Pellow; O'Connell, Jackman, Mason, Zaltzman, Brink, Carter (capt), Nias, Knight. Replacements: Davis, Collins, Pearl, Hughes, Warren, Saunders, Vile.