WORCESTER Warriors lock Darren Barry will join Premiership relegation rivals Newcastle Falcons for the 2019-20 season.

Barry, 29, has given Warriors sterling service since he arrived at Sixways from Cornish Pirates in 2015 and made his 80th appearance in Saturday’s league victory over Sale Sharks at Sixways.

“Worcester gave me the opportunity to play Premiership rugby for the first time. That is an ongoing highlight for me and it’s something I appreciate,” Barry said.

“When I arrived I thought I might be someone who might be fighting for a place on the bench but I played my most Premiership games in my first season here. It was only injury that kept me out.

“I made my 80th appearance against Sale at the weekend which isn’t a bad return for someone who had only played Championship rugby before I joined Warriors. So I am quite happy with what I have achieved here.

“I’d like to wish all the players and staff all the best for the future. I’ve been with the club for four years so I appreciate all the support I have had from them and the fans.

“I will be fully committed to doing the best I can for Warriors for the rest of this season. I can only control what I can do which is playing as well as I can when I am given the chance.

“While Worcester doing well is to my detriment next season it’s not something I can control. There’s no point worrying about what might happen to Newcastle, playing well for Worcester is all I can do for the rest of the season.

“I’m delighted that Newcastle Falcons came in for me and that I got a contract sorted out early. I’ve been up there a couple of times with my girlfriend looking for somewhere to live so we can get settled in early.”

Warriors director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “Daz has been an integral part of the Warriors squad over the past four seasons and we wish him all the best in his new venture.

“Being the good bloke and team man that he is, he will certainly be giving it his all until the end of the season as was clearly evident in last Saturday’s win against Sale Sharks.”