THE EXODUS appears to have begun at Worcester Warriors as Mariano Galarza and David Lemi have both announced their departures this week.
Wing Lemi has decided to return to his former club Bristol, while lock Galarza, who only arrived at Sixways in October, has been snapped up by local rivals Gloucester.
The duo will leave the club in the summer along with Fiji international Josh Matavesi who has agreed to join Ospreys.
Galarza has been a regular in director of rugby Dean Ryan’s starting 15 since the Argentina international finished representing his country in the Rugby Championship.
But the 27-year-old has decided not to extend his stay as Gloucester won the race to sign the powerful second row, who will be aiming to cement his place in next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The announcement of his departure came just a day after Warriors confirmed that Lemi would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old had an impressive first campaign at Worcester as he crossed the whitewash 11 times in 22 appearances last season. But a run of injuries and the emergence of talented backs Dean Hammond and James Stephenson has meant the Samoa international has had to bide his time, which alerted the attention of his former employers.
Ryan said: “David has served the club well over the last two seasons but has been presented with an opportunity to re-join Bristol where he began his career in England.
“We thank him for his contribution at Warriors and wish him well for the future.”