DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan said the long-awaited return of powerful lock James Percival feels like a new signing for Worcester Warriors.
The 30-year-old, who skippered the club for most of last season, has been out of action since he sustained a torn bicep in pre-season.
He then suffered another set back when he picked up an ankle problem which has further delayed his comeback and deprived Warriors, who sit bottom of the Aviva Premiership table, of one of their key players.
Ryan said the influential second row’s absence has been both frustrating for the player and himself as he had not seen Percival in action before giving him an hour against Leicester Tigers last Friday.
The Warriors boss believes the 6ft 5in forward will bring a much-needed physical edge to his side and he was looking forward to seeing him regularly pull on the Worcester jersey.
“Percy (Percival) has not played since I arrived here, but from what I know he is probably one of the most physical players we have got and there is no doubt that in the first six or seven games it has been something which we have been lacking in our front five,” Ryan said.
“I also think he emotionally captures a lot of good things about this place and I think that is a great catalyst for others to stick to, so it feels like a new signing and I am delighted to see him play.
“He has been fantastic around the edges of the side, but if your job is playing then you want to play and he will be fired up to get out there.”
However, Ryan insisted it was still down to the whole team to work together to steer Warriors clear of trouble.
“Everyone keeps trying to find the magic bullet,” he added. “The team are getting there, but we cannot stick all the weight on Percy’s shoulders and say ‘come on score tries for us from 40 or 50 metres’ because it is not going to happen.
“We need to under-pin everything with strong work ethic and good understanding and then we have got to get more confident at operating at that sort of pressure. But we are starting to make progress.”