DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan says he is hopeful of unlocking the potential of many more promising young players “trapped” at Aviva Premiership clubs.
Ryan Mills (Gloucester), Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers) and Darren O’Shea (Munster) were among those to jump at the chance of gaining first team exposure at Warriors.
All three grew increasingly frustrated at a lack of opportunities at their previous clubs last season and are now making strong claims for a regular starting jersey at Sixways.
Although denying any link with Saracens’ Ben Spencer, who produced a man of the match display in last week’s Aviva A League final, the Warriors boss said the 22-year-old scrum half was another example of a homegrown star struggling for game-time in the top flight.
And Ryan believes Worcester will once again be seen as a place for those types of players to flourish as they build for next season.
“One of the catchment markets for us was people who were trapped at big clubs,” he said.
“I am not saying that Ben Spencer wants to come to Worcester, but he’s that type of individual who has the quality of a (Neil) De Kock and a (Richard) Wigglesworth above him which ultimately becomes very frustrating.
“The best teams in the league have the best next teams and the best junior and academy systems, so ultimately that creates some frustration and some of these big clubs who are bringing in star names are effectively capping academy talent.
“That has been quite a resourceful market for us to go to.
“It still means we are taking development players. But it gives people, who we think have got the potential, the chance to get better.
“At the moment, that’s the basis of where we are heading and if we can add two of three experienced players to that group then we will be better for it.”
Warriors have yet to announce any signings since the start of 2015, but Ryan revealed the club was making good progress in the transfer market.
“We are talking to a lot of people and when we have got announcements to make we will make them as soon as we can,” Ryan added.
“We’ve got pretty live conversations on a number of fronts and we are optimistic that we can progress those.”