Worcester sign Cornell du Preez and Ashley Beck but David Denton is leaving club

By Andy Charles

Image: Cornell du Preez is leaving Edinburgh for Worcester

Worcester have signed Scotland forward Cornell du Preez and Wales centre Ashley Beck to boost their 2018-19 squad.

Giant back-row Du Preez joins the Aviva Premiership side from Edinburgh, while Beck makes the move to Sixways from another Guinness Pro14 side, the Ospreys.

Du Preez arrived in Scotland in 2013 from the Kings and helped Edinburgh to the final of the European Challenge Cup in 2015.

He said: "I'm thoroughly excited about reuniting with Alan Solomons and moving to England to play for Warriors. I've always wanted to test myself in the Premiership and look forward to my next challenge."

Beck has won seven caps for his country, although he has not appeared for Wales since 2013.

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"I'll forever be thankful to Ospreys for the opportunities I've been given but I feel it's the right time for a new challenge," Beck said.

"Worcester is a great club with some fantastic facilities. I'm excited about joining a backline full of pace and energy and look forward to the prospect of playing Premiership Rugby which I believe is the most competitive league in the world."

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Image: The Warriors have also agreed to sign Ospreys centre Ashley Beck

Du Preez could be joined in the Worcester back-row next season by Marco Mama, who has signed a new one-year deal with the Warriors.

Mama said: "I've really enjoyed the last three seasons at Sixways and I'm over the moon to be extending my time here. I've made some lifelong friends and I believe this club can progress and push its way up the Premiership table.

"It's been frustrating being out this season with injury, but I'm determined more so than ever to get back out on the field and fight for my place in the team."

Image: David Denton is leaving Sixways at the end of the season

But Scotland back-row David Denton will be leaving Sixways at the end of his first season with the club, who he joined from Bath last summer.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said: "We're sorry to see Dents go but that's the nature of professional sport.

"Dents is a really good bloke. We know he'll continue to give his all in the Blue and Gold for the rest of the season and we wish him all the best in the future."

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