Premiership defences will have to watch out for much more than Ollie Lawrence in the Worcester backline with the towering force of Duhan van der Merwe joined by Hartpury recruit Jack Johnson for next season.
Like Lions winger van der Merwe, Johnson stands at 6’4” and is targeting a first Warriors appearance when the new season swings round on September 17. Utilised across the backline during his time at Hartpury University and in the Championship last season, the 22-yearold also experienced playing time in the back row while at Cranleigh School –a role he didn’t appreciate at the time with his nsights set on being an outside centre.
However, he now knows work at the breakdown and zeal for the physical aspect of rugby can bode well as he aims to start fast at Worcester.
“I have had chats with JT (Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas) and I have been brought in as a winger but, in the longterm, I would like to develop into an outside centre,” Johnson told TRP.
“For now, I am more than happy playing on the wing and there are plenty of learning opportunities in that department with Chris Ashton and Duhan van der Merwe being in the squad. I am ready to be in contention from day one of the new season.”
Once on the books of the academy at Harlequins until injury disrupted his progress, Johnson believes Worcester to be the next best step in his career which has crossed some of rugby’s most prodigious talent factories.
“I did enjoy my time there at Cranleigh and I arrived at Quins having been played out of position,” he said. “Cranleigh used to play me in the back row but as soon as I moved to Quins they put me at centre.
“Back row wasn’t where I wanted to play but I think I developed my game a lot from the physicality of being in the pack.
“Now I am here at Worcester, I think it is going to be the best thing possible for me here in my career. The boys have been welcoming and now I am just looking forward to getting going on the pitch.
“When I met JT and (director of rugby) Alan Solomons the thing that struck me was just how easy they were to talk to. I had a Facetime with JT and that was the first thing that I noticed. He was talking through his vision for Worcester and how they want to get in some young talent and mesh that with experienced guys.
“That is something I want to be a part of and they have both been very good with me. They were telling me how they want to get into the Champions Cup and for Worcester fans there is a lot to look forward to right now.”
