Retiring star Matt Powell has spoken of his excitement ahead of his new challenge in the backroom staff at Worcester Warriors – as he prepares for an emotional Sixways farewell and the end of his home playing days on Saturday.
Powell is set to make his final playing appearance at Sixways Stadium when London Irish arrive for the final game of the Guinness Premiership season (kick-off 3pm).
Mike Ruddock has revealed that the popular scrum half will be involved in the league clash before he takes up his new role as Skills Coach and Attack Analyst.
Powell will clock up his 151st appearance for Warriors in the game and admits after a six-year spell the time is now right for a fresh start.
“It is a new start for me and an exciting one,” said Powell. “In the last few years I have taken an active interest in looking at the opposition and looking at how we attack teams and putting together game plans. That more tactical side of it I really enjoy.
“I also really enjoy seeing where this club has come from. It has changed here dramatically and I can appreciate for the club to continue to grow the team has to be performing. We have to be in the top six and I feel I can have a real impact on the playing side.
“I love being involved with this club. I have been with clubs in London and you can’t really get to know people that well, particularly the sponsors and supporters. But here I have enjoyed organising some charity events, everyone is just so supportive and really cares about Worcester, it is a great place to be.”
Powell will hang up his boots after over a decade of Guinness Premiership action and many memorable experiences for Warriors.
“I was signed because I wanted to be back in the big time and I knew we could go up,” he saud. “It was a tough year and we played some very physical sides in National Division One. One of my highlights was going to Orrell, once we won that game we knew we had been promoted. There were a huge amount of fans who went to that game to back us.
“The next year was all about survival in the top-flight and we had a shock in our first game against Newcastle. I didn’t actually play until the fourth game in and I was brought in for the Harlequins match. It was our first win and it was against one of my former clubs so that made it special.
“One of the high points has to be the last day of the season against Northampton and winning that game and the celebrations afterwards. Our first year was all about staying up.”
Powell will now join the Warriors coaching team and admits he is relishing working with Mike Ruddock and also helping the next generation of stars coming through the ranks.
“The last two years have been very exciting for me with Mike coming in,” said Powell. “He has a huge amount of ambition and all the players are so excited about where the club wants to go and the brand and style of rugby we are going for.
“Over the last two years we have fielded so many Academy players and not many coaches would be bold enough to put them in at such a young age with little first class experience.
“When I first joined not many people knew about Worcester outside of the city,” he added. “Now I drive back to my parents and I see children kicking a ball wearing Warriors jerseys.
“There are so many people who are part of the Warriors community and that is exciting for me. I want the rugby to work – that is most important thing. I want to see it all come together.”