Warriors snap up Ulster unknown with a view to the future

Worcester have signed back row forward Caleb Montgomery from Ulster for next season. The 23-year-old made his senior debut for the Irish province as a replacement in their PRO14 match at Leinster in January and has been a regular in the Ulster A team this season.

Montgomery played for the reserves in last month’s Cara Cup tournament in the United States and is now looking forward to making the step-up to the Gallagher Premiership with Warriors.

“I’m hugely excited to be joining Worcester Warriors for the 2019/20 season,” Montgomery said. “It’s a great club with passionate fans, excellent facilities and a strong talented squad that really play for each other.

“I’m really looking forward to getting over there and meeting my new team-mates and coaches. Alan Solomons is someone I have great respect for all he has achieved in the game and can see the honest and fair environment he has created at Worcester. One in which I hope to prove myself.”

Warriors boss Solomons believes Montgomery, who has played for Banbridge in the All-Ireland League, is a player with a strong physical presence.

“Caleb is a talented young player who has a real physical presence. I have no doubt that he will make his mark here at Warriors and I look forward to working with him,” said Solomons.

Montgomery becomes Warriors sixth new signing for next season following lock Graham Kitchener, who is rejoining from Leicester, Blues wing Melani Nanai, Northland scrum-half Jono Kitto, Connacht tighthead Conor Carey and Samoa international wing Ed Fidow who has been signed from French Pro D2 club Provence.

Warriors announced last week that eight players will leave at the end of the season, the most high profile departure being England international Ben Te’o who is wanted by Toulon, the club who had already signed Bryce Heem.

Others to move on will be former Samoa back row Alafoti Faosiliva, flankers Carl Kirwan and Zac Xiourouppa, loosehad Jack Cosgrove and two members of the academy, Mason Tonks and Nick Rigby. In addition, former South Africa flanker Dewald Potgieter has announced his retirement.

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