Callum Black returns to Worcester Warriors
Worcester Warriors have confirmed that former loosehead prop Callum Black will be returning to the club while Joe Taufete'e has signed a new deal.
The 31-year-old has signed a two-year deal and will provide vital experience to the front row as Director of Rugby Alan Solomons assembles his squad ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Black, who came through the Warriors Academy after joining in 2005, went on to make 51 appearances for the Club, helping them back to the Premiership in 2011 before making the switch to Ulster, where he has been ever since.
During his time in Northern Ireland, Black has made 141 appearances which has seen the prop reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup in 2013 and 2014, and the final in 2012.
He was also part of a side which made it to the semi-finals of the then Pro 12 in four successive seasons from 2013 to 2016, losing out in the final of 2013.
Born in Washington DC, USA, Black also played representative rugby for Ireland at Under 18, 19 and 21 level.
Black said: “I’m very excited to be returning to where it all started for me back at Worcester.
“The facilities at Sixways have certainly changed a great deal since I was last at the Club and I’m genuinely looking forward to coming back to England.
“I want to help Warriors try and make strides up the Premiership and hopefully my experience can add to a promising young pack.”
Director of Rugby Solomons added: “Callum is a tremendous scrummager and a seasoned professional, having earned a wealth of experience in the Pro 14 and Champions Cup.
“That experience will be of great benefit to our pack in the coming seasons.”
Meanwhile, USA international Joe Taufete’e has committed his future to Warriors by signing a new two-year deal.
The hooker is the latest first-team star to put pen to paper, with the likes of Ryan Mills, Sam Lewis, and Dean Hammond already signing on ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Taufete’e first made the switch to Sixways in December 2016 and made his debut at Brive in the European Challenge Cup the following month.
He has since fought his way into Warriors’ Aviva Premiership squad on a regular basis, having gone on to represent the side 23 times to date and scoring six tries.
The giant hooker has an outstanding Test record, with eight tries in 14 appearances for the USA, having made his debut at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Formerly an American Football player until 2011, Taufete’e played rugby at Belmont Shore RFC in California, USA and Otorohanga RFC in Waikato, New Zealand before earning a professional contract at USA PRO Rugby’s San Diego Breakers.
He also captained the USA Rugby Selects at the Americas Pacific Challenge developmental tournament in Uruguay in 2016.
Taufete’e said: “I feel very blessed to sign a new deal at Warriors after an amazing couple of seasons.
“My journey in rugby has been a special one and I hope I can continue that upward spiral with Warriors in the future.”
Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons added: “Joe is a dynamic, explosive hooker and a tremendous ball-carrier.
“It is fantastic news for the Club that he has signed a new contract and we’re looking forward to working with him over the coming seasons.”
Lastly, Warriors have confirmed that Scotland international Duncan Weir has travelled to Sixways ahead of a proposed short-term loan starting next week.
The fly-half has amassed 190 points in 26 appearances for Edinburgh.