Worcester Rugby Union preview: Hill aims to climb a mountain
WITHOUT trying to sound so, Richard Hill is confident his new-look Worcester side will return to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
Since he arrived at Sixways the new Warriors head coach has been studiously courteous about a task of winning promotion that should be something like shooting fish in the Championship’s barrel.
Nothing, he insists, is guaranteed and no-one will be taken lightly. That is perhaps bad news for the other 11 sides in the division because, unlike last year when Bristol always looked vulnerable, Worcester do not. Their status as overwhelming favourites is only added to by the fact that while Bristol had Exeter breathing over their shoulders, Worcester are head and shoulders above their rivals.
And with that in mind Hill is effectively planning for two seasons at once – this and next.
“All the things we are putting in place now are to have the club ready for the Premiership,” he said.
“That is not to say we are complacent but everything we are doing is to set up the high performance structures we will need. This is a great year for players to get into the groove when they should not be as battered and – if I manage properly – they’ll be fitter.”
Former Old Swinford Hospital student Chris Pennell replaces Pat Sanderson as captain.
★ IN: Bruce Douglas (Montpellier), Oliver Tomaszczyk (Oxford University), Ed Shervington (Ospreys), Adam Balding (Newcastle), Neil Best (Northampton), Andy Williams (Gloucester), Andy Goode (Brive), Alex Crockett (Bristol), Rob Higgitt (Scarlets), Oriol Ripol (Sale), Tom Arscott (Bristol).
★ OUT: Matt Cox (Gloucester), Chris Cracknell (released), George Crook (Bees), Charlie Fellows (released), Rico Gear (Kintetsu Liners), Alex Grove (Edinburgh, loan), Matthew Jones (Dragons), Chris Latham (released), David Lyons (Moseley), Calum McRae (released), Ryan Powell (Northampton), Shaun Ruwers (Rotherham), Olivier Sourgens (released), Sam Tuitupou (Munster), Tom Wood (Northampton), Ollie Grove (Bees).
