WORCESTER Warriors have bolstered their squad for next season by signing Cardiff Blues scrum-half Ryan Powell on a two-year contract.

The Welshman brings Worcester's stock of number nines to four but director of rugby John Brain insists there are no plans for any of his current crop to make way.

Powell, 25, has made more than 150 appearances for the Blues and Brain is confident he can make a name for himself in the Premiership.

"He's a player that has been on our radar for a couple of seasons," he said.

"Ryan's got pretty good service with both hands. He's a powerful runner and quite an abrasive character.

"He's got a good kicking game and he's the sort of scrum-half that will do well in the Premiership."

Powell was under contract with the Celtic League club but was becoming frustrated at playing second fiddle to Mike Phillips.

"These are exciting times for me as a player," said Powell. "It's a great opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Guinness Premiership and coming up against some of the best scrum-halves around every week."

Andy Gomarsall and Matt Powell have shared first-team duties this term and youngster Nick Runciman has shown great promise for the 'A' team.

But Brain has given no indication that any of his scrum-halves are heading for the exit door.

"They are all under contract," he said. "All I can say is that Ryan Powell adds to our resources."

The Sixways chief has not ruled out starting next season with four scrum-halves, especially as Runciman is an academy player and therefore wouldnot affect the salary cap.

Brain is working on bringing more new recruits to Sixways and has held talks with Wasps' hooker Ben Gotting.

Meanwhile, Matt Powell has been given the nod at scrum-half for today's European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Northampton.

Elsewhere, Andre Van Niekerk makes his first start at hooker since January.

Warriors: Delport; Havili, Rasmussen, Lombard, Trueman; Drahm, Powell; Windo, Van Niekerk, Taumoepeau, Murphy, Gillies, Vaili, Sanderson, Horstmann. Replacements: MacDonald, C Fortey, L Fortey, Blaze, Tuamoheloa, Gomarsall, Whatling.