WORCESTER Rugby Club's promotion bid has been boosted with the capture of Welsh international Richard Smith.

The former Ebbw Vale scrum-half will sign for the Sixways club this week as Worcester look to finally clinch a place in the Zurich Premiership next year.

Smith fills the hole left by Chris Simpson-Daniel who moved to Bristol with Andy Higgins earlier this month.

The 27-year-old, who made his debut at the Millennium Stadium against France last year, has left Eugene Cross Park to further his international career after falling down the Wales pecking order in the last 12 months.

Ebbw Vale endured a frustrating time last season, only finishing above relegated Cross Keys in the Welsh-Scottish League. And Smith, according to Worcester chief executive Geoff Cooke, desperately wants to get back into the big time.

Cooke said: "Richard knows that if he can help us reach the Premiership it will obviously have a knock-on effect and the spotlight will again be on him.

"He obviously wants to establish himself at international level because he's had a taste of it already and wants another cap."

The former England manager has been following Smith's progress since his time at Sale and was particularly impressed with his display when Worcester played Ebbw Vale last year in a pre-season friendly.

He added: "For me, he is a all-round player with a good kicking and passing game. He is someone who plays with his head up and is always very aware of what is around him.

"Richard is excited about the move because he sees Worcester as a big challenge.

"We obviously need a settled half-back pairing which, for one reason or another, we did not have last season."

Smith's arrival sees the departure of Kiwi Richard Jarman, while the future of Worcester's other scrum-half Ricky Pellow is uncertain. He is still waiting to be offered a new deal.