ELTON Moncrieff is to join Worcester's ever increasing array of talent after the Sixways club pulled off yet another coup.

The scrum-half, who played a central role in Gloucester's Heineken Cup campaign last season, will sign a two-year deal following his release by the Kingsholm club.

New Zealander Moncrieff was told by Cherry and Whites coach Philippe Saint-Andre he had no future at the club before the end of the season but was expected to either stay in the Zurich Premiership or move to Scotland.

However, ambitious Worcester are intent on bringing top-class talent to the club in a bid to finally win promotion to the Premiership and have already brought in a dazzling number of stars this summer.

Yesterday, the Evening News exclusively revealed that Canadian winger Winston Stanley was to join Worcester's promotion bid on the back of big-name signings such as Jim Jenner, Chris Yates and Joe Ross.

Moncrieff, who celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday, is the second scrum-half to be signed by Worcester this summer after former Welsh international Richard Smith's arrival from Ebbw Vale.

Chief executive Geoff Cooke, buoyed by the string of impressive signings, was thrilled with his latest capture.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted. Elton has a vast amount of not only Premiership but also European experience. We were looking to strengthen the half-back area and I think he will bring a great deal to the club."

Moncrieff will be best remembered last season for his match-winning drop goal which saw Gloucester edge past Llanelli into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup.

His freak strike, which deflected off a Llanelli player and over the bar, was one of the highlights of his two-year stay at Kingsholm.

The former Queensland Reds star comes to Sixways with an impressive pedigree and will be one of the biggest names ever to play at Worcester along with Canadian record-breaker Stanley.

After the departures of Chris Simpson-Daniel and Richard Jarman, the club needed to strengthen the scrum-half department and Worcester are hoping that Moncrieff's arrival will spark a season ticket bonanza.

Cooke added: "We are hoping that supporters will be impressed with the signings because we have made a big effort to bring in top quality players -- it is a very exciting time to be involved with Worcester. We are obviously hoping that these players will not only bring success but also boost our season ticket sales."

Club members will receive details of the season tickets through the post within the next couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, Mathew Back has left the club to concentrate on a teaching career in Wales. The full-back was offered a new deal by Worcester but decided to return to his homeland.

One player who will remain at Sixways next season is flanker Nathan Carter after re-signing for the club.