Percival (centre) moves from Quins to Worcester

WORCESTER WARRIORS have signed James Percival from Harlequins, with the giant lock set to make a playing return to Sixways this summer.

Man-mountain Percival started his career in the Academy at Warriors and gained international recognition during his time at the club, as a member of the England Under-21 team that won the 2004 Six Nations Grand Slam.

The 27-year-old second-row – who is 6ft 5in tall and weighs 18st 8lb – joined Northampton Saints in 2005 before later joining Harlequins in the summer of 2007.

Percival, who previously studied at Worcester Sixth Form College and Worcester University, has made a total of 57 appearances for Quins and will now join up with Warriors from the start of the 2011/12 campaign.

“Phil Davies and I have been looking closely at the make-up of our pack of forwards for next season and we firmly believe that James Percival will be a fantastic acquisition for Warriors,” said Head Coach Richard Hill. “James offers huge physicality, will do exactly what we want him to do on the field and adds a real abrasive and hard edge to our pack. He also brings with him the added benefit of having been here before so he knows the club and area very well and will settle in quickly.”