Worcester Warriors have confirmed the signing of Renato Giammarioli.

The number eight becomes the second Italy international forward to join the club for the 2022/23 season, linking up with hooker Hame Faiva.

Having been capped five times by Italy, Giammarioli arrives at Sixways from United Rugby Championship outfit Zebre.

He becomes the seventh new signing announced by Warriors lead rugby consultant Steve Diamond, who will succeed Alan Solomons as director of rugby at the end of the season.

“Renato is a great addition to the squad. He is a very ambitious player who has a fantastic skill set. His dynamic carrying and confrontational defence will serve Warriors next season,” Diamond said.

The 27-year-old played for Italy Under-20s in 2014 and 2015 and then graduated to Italy’s Emerging Players squad before becoming a senior international, making his debut as a replacement against South Africa in the 2017 Autumn Internationals.

His most recent international appearance came last November, against New Zealand in Rome.

Giammarioli played his junior rugby for Frascati, making the step up to club rugby for Calvisano before joining Zebre.

With the Parma-based side he played Warriors in the EPCR Challenge Cup in January and is now relishing the prospect of playing club rugby in the Gallagher Premiership for the first time.

“I am very glad to start this new chapter of my career with Worcester Warriors,” Giammarioli said.

“I am sure it will be an amazing experience that will develop my life skills both as a player and a man.

“I am looking forward to meeting my team-mates and experiencing the glorious English rugby culture.”