Leicester have signed the former Leinster hooker Gavin Hickie from Worcester on a two-year contract.

Hickie (25) represented Ireland A in 2002 and hopes a move to Welford Road this summer will reignite his international career.

He said: "I'm thrilled to get this chance. The opportunity to be part of the set-up at Leicester was too good to turn down. But I'm very sad to be leaving Worcester. I didn't know anybody when I went there and I've fallen in love with the place.

"That made it a tough decision . . . but you can't refuse when Leicester come calling. Playing for Leicester will present a lot more opportunities in big games.

"I played for Leinster when they won the Celtic Cup and played in Heineken Cup matches for them as well. I want to add to that experience now and take my career on to the next level."

Hickie faces stiff competition at Leicester with England squad member George Chuter and James Buckland already at the club. But forwards coach Richard Cockerill is confident he will make an impact.

"He is still young at 25 years old and has a very good pedigree," said Cockerill. "His real strengths are that he is a good ball carrier and brings physicality and an excellent attitude to the game."

Hickie joined Worcester from Leinster but has played just seven Premiership matches and one in the Powergen Cup.

Connacht yesterday received a timely boost ahead of their European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Newcastle Falcons when two of their Ireland A internationals signed new contracts.

Hooker John Fogarty, superb in the 33-18 win over England A last Friday, has signed a two-year deal. And loosehead prop Ray Hogan has agreed a one-year deal with Michael Bradley's side.

Scrumhalf Chris Keane, who also featured for Ireland A on Friday night, is contracted to Connacht till the end of next season.

Fogarty (28), whose younger brother Denis has impressed for Munster lately, is in his third season with Connacht and has been first choice hooker since displacing Bernard Jackman last season.

Hogan, whose elder brother Trevor will leave Munster for Leinster at the end of the season, has come through the ranks at Connacht and at 24 is strongly tipped for full international honours.

Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly said: "We play the Borders this weekend and then travel to Newcastle for our most important game of the season in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals, so it is great to see players like John and Ray committing to the side for the future."