RETURNING loosehead prop Jack Cosgrove has not taken long to impress Worcester Warriors’ coaches as he bids to make an impact off the bench at Pau.

The Worcester academy graduate arrived back at Sixways earlier this week after signing from Gallagher Premiership rivals Bristol Bears on a deal until the end of the season.

And the 24-year-old who left Warriors in 2015 is now poised to pull on the blue and gold jersey again after being named among the replacements for the European Challenge Cup battle.

Head coach Rory Duncan said: “I didn’t know too much about Jack before this week but (Alan Solomons, director of rugby) had the opportunity to work with him at Edinburgh.

“I must be honest I have been pretty impressed with him over the past few days.

“He is very quick to take ideas and concepts on board so I am looking forward to seeing him play.”

The signing of Cosgrove comes after Ryan Bower was ruled out for the rest of the campaign with an Achilles tendon injury.

Coventry-born Cosgrove will fight for the number one jersey along with Ethan Waller, Callum Black and academy ace Kai Owen who made his first-team debut in the victory over Stade Francais in Paris in October.

"Ryan is out for the season so we needed to look at bringing in a replacement," Duncan said.

"We have still got a number of capable players in that positions.

"You have got Kai who has come through academy structure as well.

"We have got to make sure that we have got enough depth to be able to see us through until the end of the season.

"Along with Ollie (Lawrence) and Ted (Hill) and the rest of the guys in the academy Kai is certainly a player to look out for in the future."