10/11/05 - Warriors move in for Irish hooker Hickie

Twenty-five year old Hickie, who made appearances for Leinster in both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League, has signed at Sixways until the end of the season.

Worcester's director of rugby, John Brain, said: "We have been looking at our options at hooker for some time following the injury to Andre Van Niekerk.

"In Gavin we have a player of the right age, experience and quality to come in and increase the competition for places."

Hickie joins the Warriors after a spell with Guinness Premiership rivals London Irish.

The Madejski Stadium club signed him back in September after their first choice hooker, Robbie Russell, suffered a long-term injury.

Russell is now back in first team contention and so Hickie was released.

He turned out in one first team game for Irish when they lost at Northampton, but has played several 'A' team games for the exiles.

The Irish front row brings valuable international level experience to the Warriors. He has made 46 appearances for Leinster and three for Ireland 'A' and has captained the Ireland Sevens team in the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series.

Hickey has also played at Under 18, 19 and 21 age levels for both Leinster and Ireland.

Meanwhile, Worcester prop Chris Horsman makes his full debut for Wales against Fiji at the Millen-nium Stadium in Cardiff tomorrow night.

Llanelli Scarlets full-back Lee Byrne also makes his first international start as only four players have survived from Wales' defeat against the All Blacks last Saturday -- the two wings Shane Williams and Kevin Morgan, Brent Cockbain and skipper Michael Owen.

The latter takes over the captaincy from Gareth Thomas who, along with Stephen Jones, Colin Charvis and Mark Taylor, have gone back to their respective French and English clubs for this weekend.

Jonathan Thomas is also sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Fiji are without Leicester utility back Seru Rabeni, who has a knee injury, while Saracens outside-half Nicky Little is suspended.