Little expects all contracted players to report on time for pre-season training

Worcester Warriors insist that they can hang onto their young talent following relegation from the Premiership.

Flankers Tom Wood and Matt Cox have already left Sixways for Northampton and Gloucester respectively and more have been tipped to follow.

But manager Charlie Little is confident that their best youngsters will stay.

"When they see the calibre of the new director of rugby, players will see staying here as the best thing for their long-term careers," he said.

"Where we are going is crucial to the future of the club. It's key we get the right people behind the scenes and off the pitch," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Following the departure of Wood and Cox, other products of Worcester's highly-respected academy are already being linked with rival clubs.

England prop Matt Mullan has been linked with a switch to Leicester Tigers, while England Saxons second row Graham Kitchener has been tipped to follow Cox to Kingsholm.

But centres Alex Grove and Dale Rasmussen have publicly stated his commitment to Warriors for next season. And Little expects all contracted players to arrive for pre-season training.

What we have to remember is we have a very supportive chairman in Cecil Duckworth, who has supported this club both financially and emotionally for the last 15 years Worcester manager Charlie Little

"We want to build the new squad that not only takes us into the Premiership but into mid-table.

"A lot of those players are the young local-based players and, if you cut them open, they have blue-and-gold blood running through them.

"If we can get those guys and build a team round them, then we can maintain and retain the majority of the squad."

Meanwhile, Worcester are budgeting for a £1.5m fall in income with their drop into the Championship.

"We will pinch a bit here and there but we need to keep staff behind the scenes to deliver the non-rugby business," said Little.

"We know that the games in the Championship won't be such a big draw.

"We are looking at every cost centre and the cost base of the club. That is not to say we have been frivolous with money in the Premiership.

"What we have to remember is we have a very supportive chairman in Cecil Duckworth, who has supported this club both financially and emotionally for the last 15 years.

"He has decided he will continue to support the club. We think we will be able to keep a very competitive squad."

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