Cornell du Preez heading to Worcester Warriors

Editor

Worcester Warriors have announced that Scotland back-row Cornell du Preez will be joining the club ahead of the 2018/19 campaign on a two-year deal.

Du Preez will be reunited with Worcester's director of rugby, Alan Solomons, and becomes the club’s third new signing set to arrive this summer, after the announcements of prop Callum Black and centre Ashley Beck.

Du Preez has made six appearances for Scotland, with his most recent in this season’s Six Nations against Wales.

The back-row made the move to Edinburgh in 2013 where he has made 96 appearances, scoring 13 tries, and also helped the Scottish side to the European Challenge Cup final in 2015 and also the quarter-finals of the competition last season.

Du Preez previously played for Eastern Province Kings in South Africa where he made 23 appearances and crossed for 11 tries, as well as playing 16 times for the Kings in the 2013 Super Rugby season.

Born in Port Elizabeth, Du Preez also represented the South Africa U20 side in 2011.

“I’m thoroughly excited about reuniting with Alan Solomons and moving to England to play for Warriors," Du Preez told Worcester Warriors' official website.

“I’ve always wanted to test myself in the Premiership and look forward to my next challenge.

“I’d like to thank Edinburgh for the past few years where I’ve really enjoyed my time and will continue to give my all till the end of the season.”

Warriors director of rugby Solomons added: “Cornell is a fantastic player with exceptional skills. His all-round game will be of huge benefit to the team.

“He will also bring a great deal of physicality, power and experience to our forward pack.”