THE DECISION to relinquish experienced back row Jonathan Thomas of the captaincy ahead of this campaign may have come as a surprise to many.
The former Wales international was one of the star performers for Worcester Warriors last season and he appeared to be the man to lead the club back to the Aviva Premiership.
But, as he approaches his 32nd birthday, Thomas insisted he was not taken aback when director of rugby Dean Ryan opted to hand the role to 26-year-old summer signing GJ Van Velze.
“I understand where the club is going,” Thomas said. “If you look at the nature of what happened at the end of last season, with 20-odd players leaving and 20-odd coming in, who are nearly all 26 and under, you see that the club is trying to change.
“I am 32 next month and, while I am very committed to playing with this team, I understand that I am not going to be part of the long-term future of this club playing-wise.
“I am sure I am not going to be playing for the next ten years, so obviously Dean made that decision, which I believe is best for the squad.”
Thomas admitted it was disappointing to see so many of last season’s squad leave in the summer as he said he had formed many strong relationships, but he believes the new crop of young players have created a buzz at the club.
“It was a very strange off-season as it was like joining a new side,” he said. “But what struck me from day one was that most of the guys are under 26 and they have all got a real energy and enthusiasm to play.
“They are enjoying themselves in training which is quite infectious, so it is a great environment to be in at the moment.”
The fit-again flanker said he was also keen to fight for his place after recovering from a calf injury which ruled him out for the first three months of the season.
“I am definitely feeling fresh now,” Thomas added. “I played my first full 80 minutes against Moseley, which was good. I was blowing a bit in the second half, so I need to get a bit more rugby under my belt.
“But I am really looking forward to continuing to play the remainder of the season.”