Aviva Premiership
Lemi swaps Warriors for Warriors
ESPNscrum Staff
February 14, 2012
Wasps wing David Lemi flies in at the corner, Newport Gwent Dragons v Wasps, Heineken Cup, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, December 12, 2010
David Lemi turned out for Wasps last season © Getty Images
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Samoan winger David Lemi will leave the Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season and take up a contract with the Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.

The 30-year-old was at the PRO12 side on a short-term deal until the end of the season, but Worcester - who are preparing for life without Miles Benjamin - have moved quickly to secure their man. Lemi played under Richard Hill while at Bristol and is one of the Premiership's most prolific try-scorers.

Lemi has featured in six PRO12 games for Glasgow this term, since his move in November, but coach Sean Lineen has highlighted their depth on the wing as one reason for why Lemi will not stay at Firhill.

"David has had a positive influence on and off the field through the manner in which he's conducted himself," Lineen said. "When DTH van der Merwe injured his shoulder, we needed a good quality replacement, and David has stepped in the breach very capably. DTH is progressing well in his rehabilitation, and we're very happy with the back three options we've got going forward.

"Stuart Hogg is getting more and more impressive all the time, Peter Murchie and Tommy Seymour have really been coming onto a game of late, and Colin Shaw and Federico Aramburu have both scored important tries.

"Rory Lamont has done well since returning to the club, and we've got Sean coming in next season too. We're looking strong in that part of the team, and we're very hopeful of adding players in other areas in the near future."

But while Lineen is losing his man, Hill is looking forward to welcoming Lemi to Sixways. "David is a try scorer and in today's game, when defences are tight and it can be hard to manufacture tries, many come down to individual brilliance," Hill said. "David is the kind of player that makes things happen, a match winner and do things others do not expect.

"His ability from playing sevens means he has the ability to kick and chase at the right time and has a great side step. He brings something different to the game and poses a challenge for defenders.

"David also has an excellent work ethic and will fit into the culture at the club and be determined to make a big impression at Warriors. We look forward to welcoming him from next season."

Lemi added: "I'm really looking forward to the move to Worcester; it is a fantastic and big challenge for me to move to a club with such ambition as the Warriors.

"I always enjoyed the style of rugby and what I achieved at Bristol under the leadership of Richard Hill and the chance to work with him again is a huge incentive for me.

"Worcester have some very talented young and up-and-coming players at the club and the challenge for me will be to show that I am worthy of a place in the team and also use my experience to be successful at Sixways."

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