Worcester Warriors have added some serious firepower to their back row for next season, securing the signature of Nottingham's prolific number eight James Cherry. The 25-year-old powerhouse will trade the green and white of Nottingham for the famous gold and blue of Worcester from the 2026-27 campaign.
Cherry has been a revelation in the Championship this season, racking up an impressive 19 tries—making him the league's second-highest try-scorer. Notably, three of those scores came directly against his future employers: two in Nottingham's narrow 24-22 defeat at Sixways back in November, and another in their emphatic 22-7 home victory at the end of February. It's safe to say Cherry knows how to find the try line against the Warriors.
The former Leicester Tigers academy product has spent the last three seasons with Nottingham, gaining valuable experience and also featuring for both Tigers and Northampton in the Premiership Rugby Cup. His blend of power, pace, and try-scoring instinct will be a welcome addition to Worcester's back-row options.
"It's great to be signing with Worcester," Cherry said. "The club has a knowledgeable coaching staff and an exciting playing group, and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in and playing at Sixways."
Cherry becomes the sixth new arrival confirmed by Worcester in recent days, joining front-row reinforcements Joe Jones and Cam Miell, hooker Jack Dickinson, forward John Hawkins, and lock Owain Evans. The club is clearly building a squad with depth and intent for the challenges ahead.
Before Cherry can pull on the Warriors jersey, his current side Nottingham has one final hurdle this season. Fourth-placed Worcester will face Coventry—sitting one place and two points above them—in their season finale on Saturday at 15:00 BST. It's a clash with plenty riding on it, and Cherry will be looking to end his Nottingham chapter in style.
