DIRECTOR OF RUGBY: John Brain
HEAD COACH: Anthony Eddy
ASSISTANT COACHES: n/a
CAPTAIN: Pat Sanderson
GROUND CAPACITY: Sixways, 9,726
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LAST SEASON: Premiership: 8th Powergen Cup: Pool stage European Challenge Cup: Semi-finals
CLUB WEBSITE: www.wrfc.co.uk
FANS’ WEBSITE: www.comeonyouwarriors.co.uk
PHONE NUMBERS: Club: 01905 454183 Tickets: 0870 990 5650
FEROCIOUS PACK NEED TO KEEP UP STRENGTH
Shouldn’t this lot have been relegated by now?
After so many years of desperately trying to reach the Premiership, Worcester have made sure that they have not become a yo-yo side. They finished ninth in their first season in the top flight and improved on that by one place last year.
Not short of cash, are they?
No, but for the most part they have recruited shrewdly, generally avoiding the big names. Their most high-profile signing was Andy Gomarsall, who was recruited last summer, but in June this year he had his contract terminated one year into a three-year deal. Worcester splashed out on Shane Drahm, above, at the same time as they signed Gomarsall and the Anglo-Australian fly half proved to be an altogether better signing. A reliable goalkicker and accomplished match manager, Drahm’s value will only decrease if he is required for representative rugby.
Are they champing at the bit, then?
Not if their 41-19 pre-season defeat by Cardiff Blues is a guide, after which John Brain attributed their poor performance to fatigue. The excuse was that the squad had been training constantly during the preceding week, rather than building up steadily to match day, as is the case during the season.
Are they still boring?
The Warriors have generally played to their strengths, the most notable of which is one of the Premiership’s most ferocious packs. The second-row combination of Craig Gillies and Tim Collier bears comparison to any other pair of locks.
Where will they finish?
Another improvement of one place, up to seventh this season, would probably represent a satisfactory sign of progress.
TRANSFERS
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INS: Miguel Avramovic (Asociacion Alumni), Lee Best (Bath), Marcel Garvey (Gloucester), Ben Gotting (London Wasps), Darren Morris (Leicester), Gavin Quinnell (Llanelli Scarlets), Ryan Powell (Cardiff Blues).
OUTS: Andy Gomarsall (released), Gavin Hickie (Leicester), Jonny Hylton (Cornish Pirates), Nicolas Le Roux (Brive), Mike Maguire (Ulster), Mike McDonald (Leeds Tykes), Ed O’Donoghue (Queensland), Jonny Tuamoheloa (Tarbes), Saiosi Vaili (Viadana), Andre Van Niekerk (Lions).
FANS’ GUIDE
HAS THE BUILDING CONTINUED AT SIXWAYS?
Last year a new North Stand was built. This year the club’s attentions have turned to the East, where an extended stand includes enclosed bars, replacing the temporary structures, and a VIP lounge for debenture-holders, where they will meet players post-match and be able to watch a rerun of the game on stadium TV.
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HAVE FANS RESPONDED TO THE GROWING CAPACITY?
The stadium is growing because of the demand since Worcester cemented their place in the top flight; 5,000 season tickets have been sold and the number is set to rise.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE TICKETS ON OFFER?
The remaining 3,000 tickets are available five weeks before each match.
DO THE WARRIORS HAVE ANY WELL-KNOWN FANS?
Philip Serrell, the auctioneer, is a regular at Sixways and on BBC’s Bargain Hunt.
SQUAD
BACKS: M Avramovic (nationality: Arg), L Best (Eng), J Brown (Eng), T Delport (SA), S Drahm (Eng), M Garvey (Eng), A Havili (Tonga), T Lombard (Fr), U Oduoza (Eng), M Powell (Eng), R Powell (Eng), D Rasmussen (Sam), N Runciman (Eng), G Trueman (Eng), M Tucker (Eng), S Whatling (Eng).
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FORWARDS: R Blaze (Eng), T Collier (Eng), C Fortey (Eng), L Fortey (Eng), C Gillies (Eng), B Gotting (Eng), T Harding (NZ), D Hickey (Aus), C Horsman (Wales), K Horstmann (Eng), A Lutui (Sam), D Morris (Eng), P Murphy (Eng), G Quinnell (Wales), P Sanderson (Eng), T Taumoepeau (Tonga), T Windo (Eng).
ONE TO WATCH
TOM HARDING
The 24-year-old open-side flanker from North Harbour has played for New Zealand at under-19 and under-21 level and has a British passport.
FIXTURES
September
2 Bristol (h)
8 Newcastle Falcons (a)
15 Sale Sharks (h)
23 Bath (a)
30 Northampton (a)
October
7 Leicester (h)
13 Gloucester (h)
21 Viadana (h)
28 Clermont-Auvergne (a)
November
4 Leicester (a)
11 Northampton (h)
17 Harlequins (a)
26 Saracens (a)
December
2 NG Dragons (h)
9 Albi (h)
16 Albi (a)
22 London Irish (h)
27 Harlequins (a)
January
1 Northampton (a)
7 London Wasps (a)
13 (tbc) Clermont-Auvergne (h)
20 (tbc) Viadana (a)
26 London Wasps (h)
February
17 Leicester (h)
24 Gloucester (a)
March
3 Bath (h)
9 Sale Sharks (a)
16 Newcastle Falcons (h)
April
8 Bristol (a)
15 London Irish (a)
28 Saracens (h)
KEY
Premiership
EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup
European Challenge Cup