ENGLAND international back-row Phil Dowson will be joining Worcester Warriors from Northampton Saints.

The 33-year-old will be arriving at Warriors in the summer after six years with the Aviva Premiership champions.

But fans’ favourite Mike Williams is leaving Worcester at the end of the campaign to join 10-time English champions Leicester Tigers.

Warriors have also announced the signing of 23-year-old London Welsh flanker Carl Kirwan, who regularly skippers the Exiles.

Dowson, who has played 179 times for the Franklin’s Gardens club and been capped seven times by England, had been keen to remain at Northampton.

But the lure of two years at Worcester is understood to have proved too strong.

Prior to joining Northampton, Dowson made more than 120 appearances for Newcastle Falcons, spending two seasons as captain following the club’s Powergen Cup success in 2004.

Dowson was an instrumental part of Saints’ side which won the Aviva Premiership and the Amlin Challenge Cup last May.

Dowson said: “Warriors are a club who have progressed rapidly behind the scenes in the last 18 months and they are clearly set for a very bright future, of which I am delighted to be a part of.

“I know Chris Hart and Nick Johnston over there, but I sat down with Dean Ryan and he spoke a lot of sense.”

Warriors’ director of rugby Ryan said: “We are continuing to build a side which can progress season after season and to be able to attract a player of Phil’s calibre to be at the centre of that journey is a huge coup for the club.

“Phil’s leadership qualities have been a crucial component of the success Northampton have experienced in recent seasons and his presence at Sixways will be huge for the development of this young side.”

Kirwan, who will also arrive at Worcester at the end of the season, made a significant impact during his inaugural campaign at Welsh, scoring eight tries in 24 Championship appearances as his side beat Bristol in the play-offs to reach the top-flight.

Kirwan came through the Newcastle Falcons academy and previously spent two years at Rotherham Titans following a spell with hometown club Middlesbrough.

Williams’ switch from Worcester to Leicester Tigers after two seasons had been expected, Williams said: “Warriors will always have a special place in my heart and I wish the club all the best for what I know will be a very successful future.”

Ryan said: “We have to accept there will be occasions where a talented player of Mike’s calibre will seek to challenge themselves at the top of European rugby and join one of English rugby’s powerhouses. We wish Mike the best of luck in his quest with Leicester Tigers and will keep the door open for him to return to Sixways in the future.”