HEAD coach Carl Hogg is excited to see what ‘explosive’ new signing Andrew Durutalo can offer in Warriors’ Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign.
Worcester host Sale Sharks at Sixways on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), before taking on Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop next Saturday in the opening round of Anglo-Welsh games.
Hogg admits it has been tough for the USA international, who featured in the first half of Worcester Cavaliers’ 32-6 win over Wasps last Monday, to pick up on the club’s calls and systems.
But the former Melrose, Edinburgh and Scotland back row is confident the Anglo-Welsh Cup will provide a platform for the former Ealing Trailfinders flanker to showcase his talent.
“I think it was tough for him getting 40 minutes for the Cavaliers with the new systems and calls,” said Hogg.
“I’m sure he’ll get better and better in Worcester colours. He’s a good athlete and you can see how explosive he is. He’s also a good ‘jackler’ of the ball. He’s got real, identifiable traits as a back row and will be a huge benefit to the squad.
“He’ll get game time over the Anglo-Welsh block of games. It’s difficult to drop a player into a (Premiership) game in the middle of the season without undergoing a pre-season where you pick up the calls and systems, but these games offer an opportunity for him to bed down.”