Boss Richard Hill has revealed that the competition for places is hotting up for the league opener against Birmingham & Solihull – as the countdown to the new RFU Championship season at Sixways Stadium gathers pace.
Head Coach Hill admits he has been delighted with the competitive edge to pre-season at Warriors as every player looks to impress him and his new-look coaching team.
The squad at Warriors has now just over a week until the opening pre-season game with Stourbridge on Saturday, August 14 (kick-off 3pm) – that also forms part of the club’s free Open Day.
The team then faces Welsh opposition, in the form of Dragons on home soil (Tuesday, August 17) and away at Scarlets (Saturday, August 21), before Hill makes his selection for the big opener against Bees.
“I have got no pre-conceived idea about who is going to start against Birmingham,” said Hill.
“For instance, Pat Sanderson has been captain for five years but there's also Jake Abbott and James Collins to consider.
“I want competition for places where nobody feels safe. That drives competition and a work ethic.
“Whereas there has been a hierarchy at the club with senior players, I have come in and said everybody is equal, everyone has a voice – the young lads as much as the older senior players.
“In terms of discipline, it has just been a case of tightening up the little things. There was a fines system and we've done away with that, we'll treat them like adults with five core values, two of which are to earn respect and have respect for others.
“The work ethic had slipped a little bit, a number of people had got away with things in the past and if they are selected week in week out there was not the incentive to bust a gut. That has changed.”
Hill has also spoken of his determination to use his entire 33-man senior squad throughout the campaign to gain maximum results and ensure they perform in the end of season play-offs.
“With the 33 players we have in the first team squad I will give them all as much opportunity to play in the first 22 games as is possible,” said Hill.
“I want that flexibility to pick players and make changes so that by the end of the 22 games and the play-offs I will then pick my best XV, keep them together for consistency and making sure we are highly organised.
“They are going to have to play their hearts out every single week and when the first phase ends I will pick my XV on merit.
“The atmosphere at the club is terrific, not just the players but all the staff as well,” he added.
“There is a lot of optimism to put things right and improve. Rather than being despondent they all want to sort the situation out.
“There has been something underlying that has meant Worcester has failed to quite achieve its full potential and with relegation everyone has taken a long hard look at themselves.”
Watch Richard Hill and his new-look Warriors in action at Sixways Stadium during the 2010/11 RFU Championship season. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 for more information or click HERE to discover more about Season Tickets and Match Day Ticket options.