Griffiths departs Worcester post

Clive Griffiths left Doncaster to join Worcester 18 months ago

Clive Griffiths has quit as head coach of Guinness Premiership strugglers Worcester Warriors.

The Welshman has left in the wake of discussions with Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock.

"It is with great difficulty that I have had to accept Clive's decision to leave the club," said Ruddock.

"Following the mid-season review that we had, it became clear that Clive and I had differing thoughts on the best way to take the club forward."

Following the first initial reports that he had quit on Saturday morning, it was not until Tuesday that confirmation came that Griffiths and the Warriors have gone their separate ways.

It is believed that Griffiths will not be replaced by a full-time head coach at Sixways but that the current coaching staff and senior players will have an input.

It's sad to see Clive go. He's a fantastic coach and I'm sure we'll see him popping up soon in another position

Worcester coach Mike Ruddock

And, amid speculation that their most senior pro, ex-Australian Test full-back Chris Latham, might become more involved, Ruddock has been quick to play down any suggestion of player power.

"It involves a lot of impairment of people," Ruddock told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "It involves a lot of feedback to people from different sources.

"And Clive didn't feel that was the way forward for him.

"We have to respect his wishes and understand that he did not want to be part of that process.

"It's something we talked about at length. More process-driven than any rugby specific issues.

"It's sad to see him go. He's a fantastic coach and I'm sure we'll see him popping up soon in another position."

Griffiths, 54, part of Ruddock's Grand Slam-winning Wales coaching team of 2005, moved to the Warriors in May 2006 as assistant to Ruddock. And he helped Worcester reach the European Challenge Cup final in his first full season at Sixways.

Griffiths told the club website: "I wanted to take this decision now so that the club could quickly develop a new focus, coaching philosophy and structure.

606: DEBATE

Is Clive Griffiths' departure a blow for Worcester Warriors?

"It has been a very difficult and emotional decision to make but I have done so in the interests of myself, my family and the club."

Worcester are third from bottom of the Premiership table, with 18 points from 10 games.

And, having qualified for a home quarter-final in the European Challenge Cup with last Saturday's thumping 68-17 home win over Petrarca Padova, they now get back to league action with this Saturday's home date with Sale Sharks (31 January, 1500 GMT).

And Ruddock insists that his team will not be affected by this week's events.

"The players are professional and accept these things happen in rugby," said Ruddock. "They have been very focused this week.

2The preparation has been fantastic. There's plenty of energy in the camp and our training sessions have been top drawer.

"Mentally our mindset looks very good and we are all set to take on a quality Sale team."