Head Coach Richard Hill has revealed how the club is changing its recruitment strategy – stressing it is the way forward for Warriors to fulfil its ambition and achieve real success at Sixways.
The squad for 2013/14 has evolved in recent weeks with the news that experienced fly half Paul Warwick and Argentinean international back row Leonardo Senatore will join from next season.
Euan Murray, the British & Irish Lions prop and current Scotland tighthead, has also today committed his future to the club.
Hill also confirmed today at the club’s media briefing that Matt Mullan, Matt Kvesic, Andy Short and Errie Claassens will all play their rugby away from Warriors from next year.
The Sixways boss has now reiterated that the club must secure Heineken Cup rugby as soon as possible if it is to retain the successful home-grown Academy graduates that come through system.
And he insisted his recruitment drive for next season was now in the advance stages as he builds a squad capable of doing just that.
“What we have to do is change our recruitment and that is what we are doing at Warriors,” said Hill.
“I watched the strategy over the last few years before I arrived and I have tried to maintain that the first two years I was here.
“Now I am going to look at different routes and a different way because we have to get into the top six. Then we will be able to retain our very best players.
“There will be a number of different faces coming in next year and different types of player.
“Supporters look at losing players and quite rightly get disappointed, but unless we actually address this and change it then it will happen year after year.
“I am excited by our change, we are changing the way we are going and I believe it will give us the boost we need to get into the top six.
“You have got to be playing Heineken Cup rugby,” he added. “The England selectors don’t go to watch Rovigo against Worcester and a win by 70 points; they are not going to see anything there.
“Understandably the vast majority of the senior England squad and Saxons squad will be made up from clubs that are playing Heineken Cup rugby. The percentage chance increases massively because you are playing alongside and against other internationals. Our task is to get into the top six and as quickly as possible.
“If we continue to do what we have done for the last eight years who is to say we are won’t be in exactly the same position in eight years from now. The club has got to do something and is acting in a positive way.”
On the departing players, Hill added: “You cannot blame some lads for leaving. If they see an opportunity to play in the Heineken Cup and earn more money, that is what they will do. You have to understand that.
“It is disappointing that Matt (Mullan) is leaving. Even though he has been here for so many years, we appreciate that he wants a change and we are looking at this position.
“Matt (Kvesic) is also going – it is up to him to tell where to and when he is ready. He is obviously a player that I am disappointed to be losing. He is a loss, but we have already brought in one international back row forward and we a number of young English players here who will aspire to claiming the shirt.
“Andy (Short) wants to play regularly rugby and he sees Bristol as his opportunity to do that. I can’t blame him; he will probably start and sees himself developing. But, with a bit of luck, I hope Worcester may be an option at some stage in the future for him.”
“I am excited by our change, we are changing the way we are going and I believe it will give us the boost we need to get into the top six…"