WORCESTER are contenders to sign New Zealand ace Rico Gear - but will have to fight off competition from a number of other clubs.

The winger is being pursued by several European sides and is expected to decide later this month where his future lies.

Gear is currently playing for the Junior All Blacks in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and will mull over his options when the tournament finishes at the end of June.

The three-quarter has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with a move to Warriors and his representatives are aware of the club's interest.

I understand he is tempted by the prospect of joining forces with New Zealand team-mates Greg Rawlinson and Sam Tuitupou.

The pair have already agreed deals at Sixways next season and are both playing alongside Gear in the Pacific tournament. The Junior All Blacks went to the top of the standings with a 57-8 win over Fiji at the weekend and Gear scored one of seven tries in the match.

He is the brother of Hosea, who impressed for New Zealand Maori in their recent Barclays Churchill Cup campaign, and is the kind of high-profile player director of rugby Mike Ruddock would be keen to add to the squad.

The 29-year-old made his provincial debut in 1997 for Poverty Bay and has since gone on to represent Auckland, Bay of Plenty, North Harbour and Nelson Bays. His Super 12 career began with Auckland Blues in 1999 but he made a name for himself at the Crusaders, scoring 15 times for the club as they clinched the 2005 championship.

In that year, Gear was named Super 12 player of the year. He has 17 Test caps for the All Blacks and was part of the squad that inflicted a whitewash on the touring British Lions side two years ago.

Warriors found it difficult to hurt teams on the flanks last season with both Marcel Garvey and Aisea Havili struggling to find form and consistency. The arrival of Gear would be a huge boost to Ruddock's attacking options.

Utility back Loki Crichton became the fourth player from the southern hemisphere to join Worcester's ranks ahead of the new season and Ruddock is keen to make a fifth signing.

He has been tracking a back-row forward - understood to be a current international - and could seal the deal as early as this week.