EXPERIENCED scrum-half Jonny Arr will make the “brave leap” outside of professional rugby to play for National One part-timers Birmingham Moseley next season.

Arr, 30, earned legendary status at Worcester Warriors having become only the fourth player in the club’s history to rack up more than 200 appearances.

His 23-year association with Worcester came to an end last month when he played his 218th and final game for them in the season-ending Gallagher Premiership triumph over Saracens.

After receiving several offers Arr has decided to sign for Moseley where he will link up with former Warriors team-mate Adam Balding who has recently been appointed director of rugby at Billesley Common.

Balding, who played with Arr between 2010 and 2012 at Sixways, said the arrival of the number nine was a “massive coup” for Mose.

“Jonny has had a fantastic career and is a proper Premiership stalwart in terms of the amount of games he has amassed over the past 10 to 12 years,” Balding said.

“This signing shows the intent of the club but also the professionalism that we are trying to create at Moseley.

“What started out as a conversation a few months ago has now materialised into the real thing.

“I am extremely excited not only for Jonny but also for the club.

“To have a player of his calibre come on board is fantastic.”

Arr is no stranger to Moseley having made one outing in the 2017-18 campaign when he launched his comeback from injury.

“Rugby has highlighted this year that good game management is the difference between winning and losing,” Balding continued.

“Jonny has a very well balanced game including extremely good game management, this will be a huge asset to the team.”

Arr has played 120 times in the Premiership but is now preparing for life in the third tier of English rugby with Moseley.

Balding, who played for Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Newcastle Falcons before retiring in 2013, said he wanted to help Arr make the transition into a career away from rugby.

“Let’s not forget how difficult it is for players to make that brave leap from professional sport into what they do next,” Balding said.

“I have made that transition and know how difficult it is.

“We are semi professional so Jonny will be part-time with us, this will allow him to pursue any job opportunities that he is currently exploring.”

“The move to Moseley gives him time to acclimatise and maybe take stock of where he is at and help him find out what he wants to do next.

“That transition is not easy as all you have ever known is rugby and then suddenly that is taken away from you.”

“You then have to step outside the rugby bubble which can be a daunting prospect.”

“To be able to give Jonny that opportunity to transition and come to a club which has got great facilities and a great fan base is fantastic.”

Balding said “some other big names” would also be joining Moseley “over the next week or so” as they gear up for the 2019-20 campaign.

“There have been a lot of changes at Moseley over these past months so stability is what is now required,” Balding added.

“With a new squad for the 2019-20 season there is a real sense of excitement and then on the back of that we will work hard seeing where that takes us.”