MIKE Ruddock believes the signing of All Blacks ace Rico Gear will put Worcester Warriors on the world rugby union map.

Warriors beat off competition from numerous clubs throughout Europe to secure Gear's signature and Ruddock reckons his arrival will boost the club profile in both northern and southern hemispheres.

"I was delighted to get Rico on board," he said. "I have had so many phone calls and text messages in the last few days saying that's a fantastic signing and a positive move for us as a club.

"I have been pleasantly surprised by the reaction all round the world. People from different countries have been texting and phoning to say it will be great to see Rico playing in the Premiership.

"The great thing about Rico signing is that globally it has put us on the map. I spoke on New Zealand radio earlier this week and now all of New Zealand is talking about Worcester Warriors."

Gear is the third Kiwi and the sixth southern hemisphere player who will arrive at Worcester next season and Ruddock has no plans to make any further additions before the start of the new campaign.

"It all comes down to how well we gel and how the players respond to the changes to our game," he said. "I can only compliment the players so far on what I have seen.

"They have shown great enthusiasm for the training programme we have put together."

And Ruddock has been particularly impressed with the attitude of skipper Pat Sanderson, who is back with the squad following England's tour to South Africa.

"Pat is back and he is in fantastic shape," said Ruddock. "It was only a couple of weeks ago he was on tour with England but, typical of Pat, he wants to get straight back into training and lead the team from the front."