Club: Worcester
Last season: 11th
Odds for the title: 50/1
Season opener: away v Bath, 15 September
Ins
Rico Gear (Canterbury Crusaders), Greg Rawlinson, Sam Tuitupou (both Auckland Blues), Loki Crichton (Newcastle), Netani Talei (Doncaster), Shaun Ruwers (Waterloo)
Outs
Thomas Lombard (Racing Club), Richard Blaze (Leicester), Simon Whatling (Cornish Pirates), Miguel Avramovic (Montauben), Tom Harding (Wellington Hurricanes)
The captain’s preview
Worcester skipper Pat Sanderson is planning for a season among the frontrunners this time around
A few changes at Worcester this season…
Yeah, it’s very exciting, it’s all been very positive. Mike [Ruddock] has come in with his team and we’ve worked really, really hard in pre-season and just want to start playing now.
Was it a surprise when John Brain left?
While nobody expected it to happen, I don’t know if you’d call it a surprise. It’s a very difficult environment to be in when you’re bottom of the league and Cecil [Duckworth] obviously thought that enough was enough and it was time for a change. It was very sad as we all got on with John but we understand the industry that we’re working in is a very competitive one and you need to get results.
How has everyone responded to Mike?
Since Mike’s come in he’s done a fantastic job, it’s a great place to work and the lads are really enjoying it and fond of Mike and committed to his beliefs and ideals.
An international coach and Rico Gear on the way, you’re a bit glam at Worcester now
aren’t you?
We’ve always been glamorous, it’s just that people never realised it! I don’t know about that, we pride ourselves on the fact we’re a proper rugby club and we’re not going to get carried away with it. We’re intrinsically part of the city and we very much in it with the fans.
What about the rest of the squad, what’s that looking like?
In all fairness, the guys who’ve joined have fitted in seamlessly. The thing about our squad is that it doesn’t have any egos, there are no big egos – we’ve got a great set of lads who work hard and, hopefully, we’ll reap the rewards.
Was it a bit of surprise that Gear came to Worcester?
There’s only 12 clubs he can go to if he’s going to come over and they’re all much of a muchness in terms of all being competitive. And I believe Worcester is potentially a massive, massive club. Obviously not everyone thinks the same or else you wouldn’t be asking these questions, but if you look at the place, the dedication of the staff, the facilities we’ve got and look at the dream Cecil has. Couple that with the coaching set-up we’ve got now and I don’t see why any player in the world wouldn’t want to come here.
Nobody’s going to be underestimating Worcester this year are they?
I don’t think anyone ever did, it’s a massively competitive environment and there’s only 12 clubs. We’ve made some great signings, we’ve got a great club, but we’re going to make sure we put it all together on the field.
What about the style of play?
We’re going to play whatever style it takes to win. People ask if you’re going to throw the ball around, play with width, drive it – we’re just going to do what it takes to win. That’s all that matters. If it’s 3-0 to us every week then so be it. If it’s 57-0, then great.
Targets?
We’ve got our own targets, but what’s important is that we make Worcester a tough place to visit and instil a winning mentality.
Supporters’ prediction: 5th. “Mike Ruddock is going to do wonders with the side and signing Rico Gear shows how serious we are about challenging. We’re definitely going to be at the right end of the table this year.” Adam Inman, Hereford
Rucked prediction: 10th. No fear of being relegated and a definite sense of progress, but still a few players shy of having a great squad to seriously challenge for honours.