FORMER Harlequins and Saracens prop James Johnston is “looking fairly sharp” in training, according to Worcester Warriors hooker Ben Sowrey.

New Zealand-born Johnston could be in line to make his first Warriors appearance in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership clash against Exeter Chiefs at Sixways (3pm).

Johnston made 92 appearances for Harlequins from 2009 to 2013 and played 51 times for Saracens before joining Wasps in the summer.

He arrived at Warriors earlier this month after leaving Wasps without playing a first-team match due to illness and injury.

“We’ve been scrummaging together and James is looking fairly sharp,” said Sowrey.

“He’s a big boy and it’s nice to pack down next to him, not necessarily against him, because he’s a powerful man.

“I think he will add a fair few kilos to the pack and he’s weighing in at around 145kg so he’s a big boy.

“He’s got loads of experience in the Premiership and with Samoa, which can only add to this squad and I am excited to see him play.”

Sowrey had a disappointing evening on Friday in Warriors’ 35-11 defeat at French club La Rochelle in their final European Challenge Cup fixture.

The 24-year-old came off the bench as an early injury replacement for Dan George, who limped off the field, and struggled to find the target with his line-out throws.

Warriors finished bottom of Pool Four after conceding four second-half tries to crash to a fifth defeat in their six-game European programme.

Worcester will now turn their attention to Premiership survival and the challenge from Exeter, who have reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup.

Exeter are second in the Premiership table with seven wins from nine league matches, while Warriors are 10th with two wins under their belt. Warriors have lost their last 10 matches in all competitions since defeating La Rochelle 19-3 at Sixways on November 14.

Sowrey added: “Exeter have got some exciting players and a lot of homegrown talent brought up to the Premiership from the Championship.

“If you wanted to emulate any club, I am sure it would be them, because they have produced an excellent model. But we have a chance to create our own identity.”