FORMER Leeds Tykes scrum half John O'Reilly has been brought in by Worcester Rugby Club as a possible replacement for Richard Smith.
The 26-year-old is on trial at Sixways until the end of the month and could feature in Worcester's opening pre-season friendly with Swansea on August 3 if he impresses.
Smith was unveiled as a Cardiff player yesterday after the Arms Park club paid Worcester the agreed compensation figure.
O'Reilly is, however, one of a number of options for Worcester's director of rugby John Brain as he looks for a back-up to South African star Werner Swanepoel.
The much-travelled scrum half saw little Premiership action last year with Leeds and was previously with Sale Sharks, Waterloo, Manchester and Leicester Tigers.
"To lose a player of Richard's quality at this late stage is a blow but we've negotiated compensation and now have to move on. Our intention was and still is, to have two scrum halves of proven quality pushing each other throughout the season," said Brain.
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