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Worcester bring in two forwards with Harlequins connections, including George Merrick
By Online Editors
Worcester have signed lock George Merrick and loosehead prop Marc Thomas for the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season later this month, the experienced pair providing cover for Graham Kitchener (foot stress fracture) and academy prop Lewis Holsey (dislocated shoulder).
Merrick, who has Premiership experience with Harlequins, arrives at Worcester after a season with Clermont in France’s Top 14 while Thomas joins from Harlequins.
“Both George and Marc will provide invaluable cover for us in what will be an arduous season,” said Warriors boss Alan Solomons. “George is a really big man with heaps of Premiership experience and we are most fortunate to have secured his services.
“Marc is an experienced player and a good scrummager who comes to us after a spell with Harlequins. Both lads have fitted in well here at Sixways and I have no doubt that they will make their mark. I look forward to working with them.”
Merrick, 28, was a Six Nations U20s Championship winner with England in 2012 who went to make more than 100 appearances for Harlequins in a six-year career at The Stoop. The 6ft 8in tall second row made ten appearances in the Top 14 last season and also played for Clermont in their 52-26 home Heineken Champions Cup victory over Bath last December.
Thomas, 30, began his career with his local club Builth Wells before moving to Bridgend Ravens where he was spotted by Ospreys who recruited him to the Swansea-based region. He had a season of Championship rugby with Jersey Reds, another with Cardiff Blues and then returned to the Championship with Yorkshire Carnegie in 2017 before joining Doncaster Knights for the start of last season.
The early end to the Championship campaign season caused by Covid-19 gave Thomas the chance to play in the Premiership for the first time when he joined Harlequins on a short-term contract. He made five appearances, his debut coming as a replacement in their defeat to Warriors at Sixways in August.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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