IT has been a busy week for Worcester Warriors, with the announcement of two new signings for the summer, one re-signing and a new coach appointed.

On Monday we had the news that David Drake will make the move to Worcester from Ireland to become the club's new Head of Performance and Head of Strength and Conditioning.

Sione Vailanu was the first of the new arrivals to be revealed on Tuesday after confirming he would be leaving Midlands Premiership rivals Wasps to join Warriors in the summer.

The 18 stone number eight is a Tongan international and is an explosive, powerful back-row ball-carrier who also has a quick turn of pace to boot.

Vailanu, 26, has been with Wasps for two years after moving from Saracens. He was a regular the season before last but injuries and the form of other back-row players has seen his time limited in the past 12 months or so.

Worcester News spoke to Wasps rugby reporter Bobby Bridge, who gave his thoughts on the move.

"Am I a little surprised Wasps are letting him go? A little, yes." he said.

"He isn’t a first choice by any stretch but has still managed 28 appearances in his two seasons at Wasps. Both Dai Young and Lee Blackett seemed to see the the merit in unleashing Sione from the bench.

"Sione is also 26, you feel his next move has to be to strengthen his chances of first team rugby. Hopefully he gets that at Worcester."

On his biggest assets, Bridge said: "Powerful is the first word that comes to mind. From a standing start he has the ability to punch holes in defences.

"He’s also got a bit of the unexpected about him too, he’s had a few eye catching moments when he’s backed his footwork to make a break along with some deceptive pace.

"If he starts, you’re going to need some real grafters at six and seven to do the lion’s share of defensive work to save him for those carries."

Vailanu, as mentioned above, has struggled with injuries but Bridge says the number eight has looked good on his return.

He added: "The encouraging thing for Warriors fans, he’s looked as good, if not a little bit better than before his injury. He scored a lovely try against Bristol Bears and impressed against Newcastle too.

"There’s enough reasons for encouragement from his time at Wasps to suggest he belongs in the Premiership. The big question is, is there a hunger in his belly to be dominant, and crucially to improve?

"It wouldn’t surprise me if he does go on and be successful at Sixways. It does feel like a crossroads moment in his career if he’s to stay in the Premiership and prosper as he reaches his prime years."

After Vailanu, fly-half Owen Williams was the next player to be added to the Warriors squad for next season.

The former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers man has a wealth of experience at the highest level (150-odd Premiership caps) and in 2017, was a hot prospect on the national stage with Wales, when he earned all four of his caps.

He has been playing in Japan with the Red Hurricanes for the past season after falling out of favour at Gloucester.

It's a shrewd move in my opinion - he can help to nurture the likes of Billy Searle and Fin Smith whilst also being able to play at 12. He is a natural kicker of the ball and will certainly help with the goal kicking, which has been an issue whilst Duncan Weir has been out.

Yesterday we had the exciting news that Welsh winger Harri Doel will stay at the club on a permanent basis after a successful trial period with the club.

He has played about 29 minutes of rugby so far but has already shown how devastating he can be, we saw that against Sale.

Doel has serious wheels and is not an easy man to stop and reminds me of Matthew Morgan. Nippy, good footwork but stocky and looks to keep the ball alive after contact.

He needs game time and hopefully we get to see a lot of him between now and the end of the season, it's the perfect time with Chris Ashton suspended and Nick David injured - play him!

All in all, a really good week for the club during what has been a horrendous campaign till now.

A drastic improvement was seen at home to Sale last weekend and whilst that elusive win remains seemingly out of reach, this week of announcements on the back of what we saw at Sixways last Saturday should give plenty of hope for what's to come.

Summer is coming, fans are returning and better times are ahead so support the side in what is left of this campaign, they deserve it.