DEAN Hammond has joined a list of Worcester Warriors hoping Donncha O’Callaghan pens a new deal at Sixways.

England centre Ben Te’o said he thought the 38-year-old lock was the right person to skipper Warriors next season.

Director of rugby Gary Gold is also keen to capture O’Callaghan’s signature.

And Warriors' chief last week revealed the former Ireland international was close to agreeing a third season at the club.

O’Callaghan, who spent 17 years at Irish outfit Munster, is out of contract at Warriors at the end of this campaign.

“Donncha is a great man to have around the club,” said wing Hammond.

“It’s not only his humour but you can just tell he’s been around a lot of quality players.

“He has a little edge about him which the rest of the team bounces off.

“He’s a very good leader and his leadership styles are fantastic. He certainly gets the guys going.”

O’Callaghan struggled to cement his place in Warriors’ side on a regular basis earlier in the season until Gold’s arrival in January.

Now O’Callaghan and Will Spencer are the first-choice second-row pairing at Sixways, with Darren Barry battling to get into the squad.

“It just shows the depth of talent we have got in the squad because no-one is secure in the team and it’s healthy to have that in a club environment,” said Hammond.

“I had never been coached by Gary before he arrived but I respect the work he does and he’s a great coach and a team man.”

Hammond added: “We were kicking ourselves after we lost to Wasps because there were so many opportunities which went begging.

“We put in a good performance against a strong team and were disappointed with the loss.

"But it gave us a bit of belief going into the final games of the season.”