Worcester Warriors have pulled off one of the most eye-catching coups of the Championship season by securing the signature of experienced centre Tom Hendrickson from Exeter Chiefs.
The New Zealand-born 31-year-old, who spent a decade at Sandy Park, has signed for the Sixways club and will go straight into the match-day squad for Saturday’s crunch Championship clash against Cornish Pirates at the Mennaye Field.
Hendrickson made 89 appearances for Exeter between 2014 and 2023, scoring nine tries and lifting the Anglo-Welsh Cup in the 2017-18 season during Rob Baxter’s all-conquering era. Known for his physicality, sharp distribution and defensive organisation, the 6ft, 16-stone midfielder was a regular fixture in Chiefs sides that consistently challenged at the top of the Premiership and in Europe.
After leaving Devon at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, Hendrickson took his talents to Japan for a short-term deal before returning home to represent North Harbour in New Zealand’s NPC during the most recent southern hemisphere season. Now, with his overseas adventures behind him, the powerful centre has opted to return to the country where he spent much of his childhood and teenage years.
Interestingly, Saturday’s opponents Cornish Pirates hold a special place in Hendrickson’s story. Having moved to Cornwall as a youngster when his family relocated from New Zealand, he came through the Pirates’ junior system before earning a scholarship with Exeter Chiefs. Almost two decades later, he will line up against the club where it all began – this time in Worcester colours.
Speaking exclusively to the club website, Hendrickson said he had been impressed by the ambition at Sixways and the direction under head coach Alan Solomons and director of rugby Steve Diamond.
“I’ve kept an eye on what Worcester have been doing since they came back into the Championship,” he said Hendrickson. “The way they’ve recruited, the style of rugby they want to play, and the clear goal of getting back to the Premiership as quickly as possible – it all appealed to me.
“I still feel I have plenty to offer at a high level. I’ve loved my time in Japan and back with North Harbour, but the chance to come back to England and test myself again in a really competitive league was too good to turn down. I know a few of the boys here already and I’m excited to get started.”
Warriors head coach Alan Solomons believes Hendrickson’s arrival is a statement of intent from the Midlands club.
“Tom is a top-quality operator,” said Solomons. “He’s played week-in, week-out in the Premiership for one of the best clubs in Europe over the last ten years. He brings physicality, leadership and real know-how in the midfield.
“We’re building something special here and adding someone of Tom’s calibre shows how serious we are about going up this season or next. He’s available immediately and will go straight into contention for the Pirates game.”
The timing of the signing could hardly be better for Worcester, who sit second in the early Championship table after a near-perfect start to the campaign. Six wins from their opening eight matches – including last weekend’s 63-10 demolition of bottom side Cambridge – have put Solomons’ men just two points behind leaders Ealing Trailfinders, with a game in hand.
That nine-try thrashing of Cambridge showcased the attacking potency that has become the hallmark of this Worcester side, with wingers Perry Humphreys and Alex Hearle both crossing twice and fly-half Fin Smith pulling the strings superbly. Yet Solomons has repeatedly stressed the need for greater depth and experience if Warriors are to maintain their challenge over the gruelling 22-game season.
Hendrickson’s arrival addresses that concern in the crucial midfield positions. With Noah Heward, Oli Morris and Seb Atkinson already impressing this term, the competition for places in the centres and at full-back has now gone up another notch.
For Cornish Pirates, Saturday’s visit of Worcester represents their toughest test of the season so far. Joint head coaches Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver have guided the Pirates to a solid mid-table position, but they were soundly beaten 47-17 when the sides met at Sixways in November.
Now, with a returning local hero in opposition ranks, the Mennaye faithful will be desperate to see their side produce a performance that evokes memories of the club greats.
For Hendrickson, the occasion will be bittersweet.
“I’ve got so many friends down in Penzance and I still follow the Pirates closely,” he admitted. “It’s going to be strange running out against them, but once the whistle goes it’s just another game. I’m a Worcester player now and I’ll be doing everything I can to help us get the win.”
If early impressions are anything to go by, Worcester Warriors have landed themselves a midfielder who could prove the difference between promotion and another season in the second tier. With Tom Hendrickson on board, the charge towards the Premiership has gathered serious momentum.