Giant wing Walker to make Warriors move

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have expressed their delight in confirming the signing of Scotland international wing Nikki Walker from RaboDirect PRO12 giants Ospreys.

Powerful winger Walker, who has been a star performer at the Ospreys over the last six seasons, will make the move to Warriors from the start of the 2012/13 season.

Aberdeen-born back Walker, who stands an imposing 6ft 5in and weighs 16st 12lbs, has made 24 appearances from Scotland and scored six tries.

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “We have signed a physical and explosive player with real experience who will add a huge amount to the club. We are striving to improve our squad and so we’re delighted to have an international player of Nikki’s pedigree coming in.

“Nikki has played Heineken Cup and international rugby, including 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 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.

“Nikki also has a fantastic attitude and is a real club man who will embrace the culture and environment we have here at Sixways.”

Walker, who has also played for Border Reivers, made his Scotland debut against Romania in November 2002 and was part of the Rugby World Cup squad in 2007.

The 29-year-old made four appearances during the 2008 Six Nations, including Scotland’s Calcutta Cup win over England. He was also part of Andy Robinson’s squad for the 2010 November internationals against Samoa, New Zealand and South Africa.

Walker went on to play in all but one of Scotland’s 2011 Six Nations campaign before a knee injury cruelly ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup last year.

“It’s an exciting new challenge for me. I’m looking forward to playing in England and Warriors are clearly a club that is on the up,” said Walker.

“The results in recent months have shown the huge potential and ambition and so it is a club I am keen to join up with. I spoke to Richard Hill and he is passionate and enthusiastic about the future of the Warriors.

“I’ve spent the last ten seasons playing in what was the Magners League and is now the RaboDirect PRO12,it is time for a change. The Aviva Premiership is an intense and hugely physical and competitive league where I feel I can use my strengths as a player.”

Fussell moves to Ospreys

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Richard Fussell has revealed that his ambition to play for Wales was behind his decision to sign a two-year contract with the Ospreys.
The 25-year old Newport Gwent Dragons wing has penned a deal that will see him arrive at the Ospreys in the summer after five years at Rodney Parade, and he says that the motivating factor for his switch to Ospreylia was the region’s track record in developing players for the national set-up.

Fussell commented: ”I’m excited about the prospect of moving to the Ospreys. I’ve made the decision purely on the basis of where I feel I can develop my game best over the next couple of years. I’ve spoken to people about the set-up at the Ospreys and it’s all been very positive. They have excellent facilities and a track record in developing players so I see it as a real opportunity for me to kick on another level in my game. If you look at the number of players that the Ospreys bring through for Wales, then it is clear that they are doing something right and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.

“There are some great coaches at the Ospreys, they have exciting plans for the region and I’m looking forward to working with them. It’s going to be a real challenge for me personally to go into that environment and try and make an impact. I realise that they have real strength in the wing position; In Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe I’d say that they’ve probably got two of the best wingers in the world, and there is also Nikki Walker and some really talented youngsters coming through, so being around players of that quality and working with them day in, day out, and testing myself in training against them can only be a positive thing for me personally. Hopefully, it will allow me to improve my own game to the level where maybe I can get closer to international rugby.

“Clearly, while I’m looking forward to joining up with the Ospreys, there’s a lot of rugby to be played between now and the end of the season. I’ve been at the Dragons for five years, I’ve really enjoyed my time with them and as a professional rugby player my focus between now and then will be 100 per cent on the Dragons and doing my best for them, which is as it should be.”