Ruddock says youngsters are getting the chance at Sixways

The England Six Nations and Saxons squads did not include any Worcester players, but former Wales boss Ruddock feels it is only a matter of time.

He said: "The younger players at the club are getting the opportunity now to play at the highest level."

"Miles Benjamin, Matt Mullen, Johnny Arr and others have made great progress," he added.

England coach Brian Ashton watched Warriors in their recent game against Harlequins at Sixways, in what was probably their poorest league performance of the season.

Worcester captain Pat Sanderson was overlooked, 18 months after skippering England in Australia, but Ruddock says Sanderson, and other Warriors players may have found it hard to impress due to the league position.

The younger players at the club are getting the opportunity now to play at the highest level of club rugby Mike Ruddock

"When you are in our position it's often a case of being overlooked, but I feel with the sort of rugby we are playing, those players will come back into international contention.

Warriors will name their team to take on Bucuresti in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday, 19 January, and Benjamin looks certain to carry on in the number 11 shirt, while Mullen is also expected to be in the 22-man squad.