WORCESTER Warriors have confirmed their fifth new signing ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Benetton and Italian international hooker Hame Faiva has agreed on a two-year deal to join Steve Diamond at Sixways.

Having already lost Scott Baldwin earlier this year and after it was confirmed that Niall Annett will leave the club at the end of the season, hooker was a position of focus for Diamond.

Having already signed Curtis Langdon, Faiva looks set to come in and compete for the number two jersey but also brings international experience.

Faiva, 27, made a try-scoring debut for his adopted country last November against Uruguay having played for Benetton for five years.

Famously, he was the player sent off for Italy against Ireland in the Six Nations this year that produced the rather curious situation that saw the Italians reduced to 13-men.

Faiva, represented New Zealand Under-20s in the 2013 and 2014 IRB Junior World Championship and then played for Italy A against Spain in Madrid last October.

Before agreeing his move to Sixways, Faiva spoke to Warriors full-back Melani Nanai, a former team-mate at Blues.

“I had a good chat with Melani and he gave me a good low down on the club. He said that the club is really awesome and professional,” he said.

“It’s not just the rugby side but also the rehab and recovery facilities at Sixways which is a really big plus for me. Getting my body right to play week in and week out is a very important area for me.

“I have always wanted to experience the Gallagher Premiership. I have heard a lot about it and in New Zealand a lot is talked about the quality of rugby that is played and how tough the competition is.

“Now I’ve got the opportunity to be part of it with Warriors and I’m really excited for the new challenge.

“I’ve had a few Zoom meetings with Steve Diamond and what he said about the club and where he wants to take it made me really interested in the opportunity.

“I want to help him build the club and make it one that qualifies for the Heineken Champions Cup.

“One of the big positives is that I can continue playing for Italy. Italy is my home away from home now and I have a lot of friends here who I want to continue playing with and representing Italy.”

Steve Diamond sees Faiva as competition for other new hooker Curits Langdon, who will now both look to nail down the starting two jersey.

“I have a vision of what Worcester’s pack will look like in 12 months’ time,” Diamond said.

“The top sides in the Premiership have two packs of forwards, Hame and Curtis Langdon will compete for the hooker spot.

“Hame is a very aggressive and mobile hooker who has impressed me. His work-rate is exceptional and he has an abrasiveness about him that rubs off on fellow players.”