Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons believes that he has a core of young and talented homegrown players that are capable of winning the Gallagher Premiership in five years.
England flanker Ted Hill, centre Ollie Lawrence, lock Andrew Kitchener and tighthead prop Joe Morris all made the transition from the Three Pears Warriors Academy to the senior squad during the summer.
Solomons told a supporters’ forum at Sixways that there are more players coming through the ranks who, with the benefit of experience, could make a similar transition.
“I said to Ted Hill the other day that you could virtually make a team out of this Academy side,” Solomons said.
“I honestly believe that if we keep all of them at Sixways in five years’ time we will win the Premiership with that team.
“Those players are good enough. I honestly believe that.
“If we add into that mix some quality players from the outside, which we can easily do, we will have a team capable of winning the Premiership.
“The big key for us is retaining those players at Sixways.”
In order to retain the youngsters Solomons stressed the importance of giving them exposure to senior rugby and first team opportunities.
“At the moment the bulk of those players have not just been signed up for this year but for the following season as well,” Solomons said.
“We have to keep them. One way to do that is for them to end up playing.
“What happens when the academy lads suddenly see Ted, Ollie and Andrew in the staring XV? They will realise that they their path is not blocked.
“I am not going to block their pathway because if I do that it will make it very difficult for them and then they are going to leave.”