Ruddock says Tony Windo offered to make a comeback

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock believes an extra prop on the bench will extend the careers of front-row forwards.

All Premiership clubs now have to name an extra forward in their 23-man match-day squad.

Ruddock told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It is going to extend the career of front row forwards, we are into the realms of rolling subs.

"You will see more and more props play later into their 30s."

He added: "They can go on and do 20 minutes, come off and [let] someone else take over. If they get injured they can go back on for the last 20 minutes.

"There is still a chance it could go to uncontested scrums, but the team that calls it will lose another forward.

"So I feel it's going to be genuine if a team does that."

Ruddock said his forward coach Tony Windo, who played until he was 39, has jokingly offered to turn out in the front row.

"Tony is knocking my door down to try and make a comeback," said Ruddock.

"But I think he's eaten too many cream cakes and drunk too much coffee during his time out, so we'll postpone that as an option."

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