WORCESTER Rugby Club are locked in a tug-of-war with Harlequins for hooker Ace Tiatia.

The 26-year-old is one of Worcester's main summer transfer targets after becoming frustrated with life behind Lions and Ireland forward Keith Wood in the Quins' pecking order.

Head coach John Brain is hoping to lure the powerful Samoan international who made a stunning impact for the Premiership side when he scored a hat-trick of tries against the Warriors at Sixways last month.

He has represented Otago Highlanders, Canterbury Crusaders and Wellington Hurricanes in the Super 12s. He also won representative honours for New Zealand U19 and New Zealand Colts earlier in his career.

Harlequins, however, are desperate to retain his services.

"We've been talking to him for two weeks now," said Brain. "Harlequins are trying hard to keep hold of him, however, and it is not a done deal. My gut feeling is that it is 50-50 at the moment as to whether we will sign him.

"He is a quality player and it's not just the Warriors performance which impressed us, we had been watching him well before that.

"He's got Keith Wood in front of him for the hooker's spot and they have been trying to pacify him by playing him on the flank. He wants to play hooker though and we can offer him that opportunity.

"We know he's a good player but what we also know that he is a good man and that is just as important for us."

Meanwhile, Worcester have released an initial list of players who have signed new deals for next season, although it is likely to grow over the coming weeks.

Martin Morgan, Dan Zaltzman, Christian Evans, Richard Nias, Ben Hinshelwood, Chris Garrard, Duncan Roke and Craig Chalmers have all secured new contracts, while Neil Lyman is expected to re-sign later today.

Former Scottish fly-half Chalmers was delighted with the deal.

"It's a club that you want to stay at," he said. Chalmers, however, will not be available for Worcester's final game of the season at Moseley tomorrow (3pm).

The 33-year-old will not be risked after suffering a concussion injury in the 41-17 win over Exeter two weeks ago. Tony Yapp takes his place in the side.

Team: Roke, Murdoch, Hinshelwood, Trueman, Garrard, Yapp, Smith; Windo,

Hall, Lyman, Zaltzman, Morgan, Evans, Nias, Jenner.