Horstmann joined Warriors from Harlequins in May 2005

Worcester Warriors back row Kai Horstmann is backing new boss Richard Hill as he begins to make changes to the set-up at Sixways.

Hill replaced Mike Ruddock as head coach this summer after Worcester were relegated from the Premiership.

Horstmann told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "Richard has outlined how he wants to set certain standards.

"We are after a more professional environment, players working harder, and want to bounce back up."

Hill has issued all the players with pen pics of Warriors staff and local media, and Hortsmann says it is important the whole club pulls together.

"It does not matter if you are on the rugby side or the commercial side, we are all in it together. We have to get closer and get more communication in the rugby club."

The former England Saxons player believes the Warriors squad is now stronger than ever.

"It's getting the balance right between young and old," he said. "We have a large majority of last season's squad together. Something we have been striving for is strength-in-depth, and I think this looks like the best squad since I've been here.

"If you know someone is breathing down your back you work that much harder."

Horstmann, who has played over 100 Premiership games for the Warriors, is one of those who could be in line for the captain's job.

We will bounce back, and we will bounce back stronger when we go back into the Premiership Kai Horstmann

Hill has said the new skipper will not be one of his summer signings, but Horstmann has not thought about it too much.

"If it came my way it would be great honour but it's Richard's choice," he said.

"I just want to play every week, good luck to whoever gets the captain's job.

"We were perhaps too naive last season, we looked at our squad and thought we were too good to go down.

"It was massively frustrating the way we underachieved and now we have the everything in place to do well.

"We will bounce back, and we will bounce back stronger when we go back into the Premiership."

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