Head Coach Richard Hill has stressed the importance of Worcester Warriors having competition for every shirt if the club is to kick on and make strides in the coming seasons.
Hill has already made a number of new signings with John Andress (Exeter Chiefs), David Lemi (Glasgow Warriors), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Jon Clarke (Northampton Saints), Dean Schofield (RC Toulon) and Semisi Taulava and Rob O’Donnell (Rotherham Titans) all confirmed for the 2012/13 season.
The Sixways boss insists he the club cannot afford to have any position where players are guaranteed starting spots and wants that hunger for the jersey to fuel improved performances.
“You take the likes of Leicester and Northampton, the way that teams get better is that they are competitive for places,” he said.
“If you have got players, and Worcester have been guilty of this, that are in the 15 week in and week out well, with the best will in the world, you come in Monday morning and know you are going to be playing. There isn’t that bite to it.
“With teams like Leicester there is competition all the time, you can’t have a poor game because you know someone will come in and have your place.
“You have got to have top quality competition all the way through the side so that in training in the week people are working hard for a place at the weekend, rather than sitting back and knowing they will be picked.
“It is my job over the next couple of years to make sure that nobody feels they will start, everybody must earn the shirt every week.”
“Take the scrum half position, there will be a lot of fighting in training for the No.9 jersey,” added Hill. “We will have good competition and strength in depth there.
“At one stage this season we lost both scrum halves with injury, then you are in trouble. We are strengthening the squad and Paul Hodgson will do that.”
“You have got to have top quality competition all the way through the side so that in training in the week people are working hard for a place at the weekend, rather than sitting back and knowing they will be picked…"