'We have tried our best to persuade him otherwise, but, unfortunately to no avail' - Heem to Toulon takes step forward

Bryce Heem’s move to Toulon appears to be all but a done deal as Worcester Warriors confirmed the departure of the New Zelander this afternoon.

In a statement announcing the signing of Ed Fidow, Worcester wrote of Heem: “Fidow’s recruitment will help to counter-balance the loss of Heem who has opted to pursue his career outside of the Gallagher Premiership.

“Since he arrived in England from Waikato Chiefs three years ago, Heem has become Warriors’ leading Premiership try-scorer and a favourite with the Sixways crowd.”

Solomons said: “Bryce has reached the point in his career where he has decided that he wants a different experience.

“We have tried our best to persuade him otherwise, but, unfortunately to no avail.”

Continue reading below…

“He is a terrific player and a fantastic bloke who will be sorely missed. Whilst we are really sorry to see him go we wish him all the very best.”

Heem has scored 30 tries in 66 appearances for Warriors in all competitions including six in the Premiership this season.

The news comes as Warriors made Samoa international wing Ed Fidow their fifth new signing for next season.

Fidow (25) will join Warriors from French Pro D2 club Provence during the summer on a two-year contract with his arrival co-inciding with the departure of Bryce Heem who has confirmed that he will not be signing an extension to his contract which expires at the end of the season.

Fidow has scored eight tries in seven international appearances including a hat-trick in a Rugby World Cup qualifier against Germany in Apia last June having first made his mark on the international Sevens circuit.

Fidow previously played for Brisbane City in Australia’s National Club Championship and for Bordeaux-Begles in France’s Top 14 competition and is relishing the prospect of playing in the Gallagher Premiership for the first time.

‘I am delighted to be joining Worcester Warriors. The opportunity to test myself against the very best in England was too good to turn down,” Fidow said.

“I would like to thank Alan Solomons and his coaching team for giving me the opportunity to join such a historical club. I will be working very hard to help my new team-mates and to show the Warriors supporters my best rugby.”

Fidow’s arrival date at Sixways has yet to be confirmed but is subject to his international commitments with Samoa.

Warriors Director of Rugby Solomons said: “Ed is a terrific wing, who has represented Samoa at both sevens and 15s.

“He is a real X-Factor player with pace to burn and will be a huge asset for us as we go forward.

“I have no doubt that he will make his mark here at Sixways and our supporters are in for a real treat.”

Fidow will join fellow wing Melani Nanai, who has been recruited from Super Rugby side Blues, Leicester Tigers lock Graham Kitchener, Northland scrum-half Jono Kitto and Connacht tighthead prop Conor Carey as the new faces in Warriors’ squad next season.