9:42am, 08 January 2020

Worcester have signed fly-half Billy Searle from Wasps on a two-year contract from the start of the 2020/21 season.

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Searle, 23, is the first new recruit to be announced by Warriors and follows the re-signing of 14 members of the current squad on contract extensions.

Devonian Searle played National League for Launceston and Plymouth Albion before a two-year stint with Bristol where he played Premiership, Championship and European Challenge Cup rugby.

He joined Wasps in the summer 2018 and having recovered from a broken leg and dislocated ankle which he sustained against Bristol last season, Searle is now relishing the prospect of joining Warriors.

“I’m really happy to announce that I will be joining Worcester Warriors next season,” Searle said. “The opportunity to develop my game under the guidance of Alan Solomons, Jonathan Thomas, Matt Sherratt and the rest of the coaching team is extremely exciting.

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“The talent coming through at Worcester makes for exciting times and that I hope I can help the club to challenge in all competitions. The atmosphere at Worcester has always been one of the best in the Premiership, so to play in front of them on a regular basis will be a huge honour.

“I would like to thank Wasps, specifically the players and coaching staff, for the last two years. Further, I would like to thank the fans for their continued support. I’m now looking forward to finishing the season off strongly and teaming up with Worcester at the start of next season.”

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Searle previously worked with Thomas, who is re-joining Warriors as forwards coach, and Sherratt, who will be Warriors’ new attack and backs coach, at Bristol. Thomas will be returning to Sixways from Bristol and Sherratt from Ospreys.

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Worcester boss Alan Solomons said: “Billy is an outstanding young English fly-half. He has an excellent skill set, the ability to manage a game effectively and he kicks really well, both for goal and out of hand.”

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