WARRIORS have snapped up their second All Blacks international with the signing of 6ft 7ins lock Greg Rawlinson.

The 28-year-old, who has won three caps, arrives from Auckland Blues on a three-year contract and follows compatriot Sam Tuitupou to Sixways.

Rawlinson was born in South Africa but moved to New Zealand in 2002 and subsequently opted to play for the All Blacks.

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock has been eager to make a headline signing to attract other top names to Worcester and believes Raw-linson will be ideally suited to the style of play he intends to develop.

"Greg is an exceptionally talented lock and his signing is a clear illustration of where we want to take the club," said Ruddock.

"This underlines the ambition of Worcester Warriors and the way we plan to play will suit Greg's strengths.

"It is crucial we maintain our dominance in the forward pack and the second row was an area I targeted as one to strengthen.

"Greg has built a big reputation for himself in New Zealand as one of the best line-out forwards and scrummagers in the Super 14."

England Saxons star Richard Blaze will leave Sixways for Leicester during the summer, while another second-row player, Tim Collier, is out until January after undergoing knee reconstruction sur-gery.

Ruddock will be delighted to fill the void with a player of such pedigree, particularly as Rawlinson qualifies as a non-overseas player under Kolpak regulations thanks to his South African passport.

The second row rejected overtures from the Springboks to remain in contention for the All Blacks and was rewarded with a call-up to face Ireland in June 2006.

Ruddock has promised to make more additions to the squad in the near future, especially as both Rawlinson and Tuitupou are expected to be involved in this year's World Cup and will therefore be unlikely to arrive in England before late Autumn.

"We have still got positions I want to fill because of the World Cup and call-ups to consider," said Ruddock.

"We want strength in depth and we are planning to announce some more positive news in the very near future."

A front-row forward and a centre are thought to be high on the list of priorities as Ruddock looks to put his own stamp on a squad he inherited from John Brain a month ago.

Meanwhile, Worcester wing Katherine Merchant has been named in the England Women's squad for this weekend's FIRA Euro-pean Sevens tournament.

England will be out to avenge a 10-7 defeat to Wales in last year's final.

They will play Russia, Swe-den and Holland on Saturday and then France in the final game of the pool stages on Sunday.

The semi-finals and finals also take place on Sunday.