RaboDirect PRO12
Walker confirms Ospreys exit
ESPNscrum Staff
February 29, 2012
Ospreys wing Nikki Walker is wrapped up, Cardiff Blues v Ospreys, Magners League, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, December 31, 2010
Nikki Walker will leave the Ospreys at the end of the season © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Nikki Walker
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership | RaboDirect PRO12

Nikki Walker will leave the Ospreys at the end of the season to take up a contract with Worcester Warriors.

The Scotland winger has spent the last six years at the Liberty Stadium following a switch from the now-defunct Borders.

Capped 24 times by Scotland, the 29-year-old is nearing full fitness after suffering an ACL injury in the run-up to last year's Rugby World Cup.

"My six years at the Ospreys have been the best of my career and I'm sad to be moving on, but after 10 years playing in the Celtic League I feel that the time is right for me to try a fresh challenge in England," he said.

Worcester boss Richard Hill has high hopes that Walker's experience will help the Warriors to further improve on their Aviva Premiership standing.

"Nikki has played Heineken Cup and international rugby, including at a Rugby World Cup. He will bring that experience to Sixways and if we are going to move upwards we have to bring in people who have played at the very highest level," he said.

"He will also bring a different style to our play. At Ospreys he was used in conjunction with Shane Williams and added a real threat around the 10 channel. It opened up space out wide and if he can do that at Warriors it will allow our other wingers to exploit that room."

Meanwhile, the Ospreys have confirmed that Gruff Rees will assist new head coach Steve Tandy. The former Glamorgan Wanderers boss will take over as backs coach with the region, having previously worked with them during a spell with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.