Worcester Warriors: Matt Garvey signs on for 2021/22 season

The 33-year-old racked up 85 appearances with Irish, where he began his career in 2009, before he made the move to the South-West and spent seven years with Bath at The Rec.

The lock, who can play flanker, also captained the Blue, Black and Whites between 2017-2019 and arrives at Sixways having spent the past season with the Cherry and Whites at Kingsholm.

At 6ft6 and the best part of 19 stone, he adds significant bulk and power to the Warriors engine room for the next season, as well as a wealth of premiership experience.

Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas believes Garvey can also act as a mentor for the younger members in the squad.

“We said that we had a couple more signings to make and one of them was a six/lock,” said Warriors Head Coach Jonathan Thomas.

“We have a lot of good, young back five players but Matt’s experience and leadership will add real value to the squad.

“It is important that you have good a balance between youth and experience and Matt can be a mentor to those young guys.

“But his real point of difference as a player is his experience and his knowledge and ability around the scrum and maul which are areas for growth for us. The Premiership is the most physical league in the world and Matt has got lots of experience.

“We are looking forward to working with Matt. Everyone who we have spoken to speaks highly of his leadership, his experience and his physicality as a player.”

Warriors have made it a priority to inject experience into what is a young squad. Garvey will join fellow senior pros and former teammates Willie Heinz from Gloucester and Will Chudley and Christian Judge from Bath.

Alongside the likes of fly-half Owen Williams and hooker Scott Baldwin, Worcester's side for next season looks significantly more savvy.

Garvey said: “There are some very talented young players coming through and and I look forward to joining up with the squad and playing next season.”