FORMER Ireland under 20s tighthead prop Conor Carey has agreed to join Worcester Warriors on a two-year contract from Connacht.

The 27-year-old front rower will arrive in Worcester in the summer as an English qualified player (EQP) as he was born in England and has previously played for Ealing Trailfinders and Nottingham in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Carey was educated at Methodist College in Belfast, played club rugby for Ballymena and Ballynahinch and also represented Ulster at youth level where he played alongside current Warriors players Niall Annett and Michael Heaney.

He has made 11 appearances for Connacht this season.

“I have really enjoyed my time with Connacht but I’ve always wanted to play in the Premiership and to challenge myself up there, especially at scrum-time. The set piece is something that I pride myself on,” Carey said.

“The facilities at Sixways are top class, some of the very best around. I chatted to Niall and Michael who I played schools rugby with, and they told me nothing but good things about the club.

“I worked with Neil Doak before and enjoyed that.

“Alan Solomons has also set his plans for the club and that’s something that really interests me and it’s something that I want to buy in to.”

Carey was an Ulster supporter when Solomons coached the province and he has also played against sides coached by Warriors’ current director of rugby in the Pro-14 and twice in last season’s European Challenge Cup.

Solomons said: “We are delighted that Conor has decided to join us here at Sixways.

“He is an experienced tighthead prop with a good pedigree, who prides himself on his scrummaging.

“I have no doubt that he will make his mark here at the club.”