SINCE Mike Ruddock took over at Worcester Warriors, the forwards have been given more licence to roam, but it was a different kind of licence that has been troubling Tongan prop Tevita Taumoepeau.

The giant tight-head, affectionately known as Dave' by the Warriors faithful, is a keen angler, but a recent trip to the Worcester-Birmingham canal had to be aborted as Taumoe-peau did not relise he needed official recognition to fish the water.

The reliable front-row man explained: "In Tonga, if you want to go fishing you go to the sea and do what you want.

"Here I didn't know what I could do. I went to the canal to try fishing and conditioning coach Stu Pickering ran past me and shouted Dave, have you got a licence?' I didn't know what he meant so I packed up my rod and went home - I didn't catch anything!"

With long-term injuries to Chris Horsman and Darren Morris, Taumoepeau has had to shoulder a massive work load at the Warriors' coalface, but he insists he is happy to help the team.

He said: "I have really enjoyed this season and to be involved as much as I have been on the field.

"I am so happy this year. This has been my best season for Worcester by far.

"I have been in games and have shown the benefits of full-time training in a lot of game time.

"Horse has been out so I have played more games than ever before but my body is alright, I recover fine from most games. The main thing this season is that I enjoy my job, everything is good."

Meanwhile, Worcester number eight Catherine Spencer has been picked to captain England at next month's FIRA AER European Cup tournament.

Spencer's Sixways team-mates Samantha Dale and Katherine Merchant Worcester are also in the squad.