WORCESTER Warriors prop Rob O'Donnell has joined Championship outfit Yorkshire Carnegie.

The 29-year-old forward played 35 times for Warriors after arriving from Rotherham Titans in 2012.

The former Sale Sharks and Waterloo prop played 23 times during director of rugby Dean Ryan’s first season in charge at Worcester.

O'Donnell said: “I have had an amazing three years with Worcester Warriors and made some great friends along the way. I am looking forward to the next challenge now.

“Although my season at Worcester only ended last Wednesday, I was keen to get into pre-season as soon as possible so will be reporting in next Monday.

“It is only days since my season officially ended but I wanted to get started as quick as possible to get to know the lads and for them to get to know me.”

Liverpool-born O'Donnell was limited to just two first-team appearances for Worcester last term, totalling 32 minutes.

He said: I am massively looking forward to joining up with Yorkshire Carnegie. I had a chat with head coach Bryan Redpath and director of rugby Chris Gibson and came up to look around.

“I was very impressed with everything I saw and heard. The club have made some really good signings and added to a talented squad who were already in place from last season.

"I know a couple of lads who are with Yorkshire so that will help with the settling in process.

“I know Dean Schofield well from my Sale days and I am looking forward to working with him again. I haven't worked with Bryan before but I have spoken to guys who have played under him at Gloucester and Sale and they have spoken highly of him.

“As a club, we want to push forward and get as high up in the league as possible, I want to play my part in making that happen.

"I got a lot of game-time in the Premiership two seasons ago with Worcester and that has given me plenty of motivation to get back up there with Yorkshire Carnegie.

"The Championship gets stronger and stronger each season as players come from the Premiership to test themselves and get more game-time.”

Carnegie head coach Bryan Redpath said:"Rob played a lot for Worcester in the team that was relegated two years ago from the Premiership but he played very well in that team. He is a big man and a natural scrummager and ball carrier.

"He is a northern lad and as well as bringing in his knowledge and experience to us, I am confident he will also buy into the culture we are creating here at Yorkshire Carnegie.”