CECIL Duckworth said Worcester are still in the hunt to sign the biggest name in world rugby -- Jonah Lomu.

But the club's millionaire backer said they are not top of the pecking order because of their second division status.

Lomu and the rest of the New Zealand squad are due to fly home on Friday and Duckworth said talks will continue even when the mighty winger has returned home.

"When I heard Lomu was looking at the possibility of playing in England naturally I talked to Geoff Cooke about signing him," said Duckworth.

"We've now had talks with his agent on a number of occasions, but Jonah of course wants to be playing in first division rugby which puts us at a disadvantage.

"My response is that we won't be there long, but we can't offer that immediately and some clubs can also offer European rugby.

"It means we're no more than on the outside and we've got to be realistic about that but we've got his contacts in New Zealand and we'll continue to keep up the dialogue."

Other clubs who have expressed an interest include Bristol, London Irish, Leeds and Wakefield Trinity rugby league club.

Lomu's contract with the New Zealand RFU expired the day after the World Cup final, but unless he stays in New Zealand the country's ruling body will not allow him to play for the All Blacks.

Despite New Zealand's shock defeat against France in the semi-finals Lomu finished the tournament as top try scorer with eight and is still only 24.

n Worcester's Bruce Fenley and Dave Sims play for the Barbarians at Gloucester tonight against the Combined Services (7pm).