Easter welcomes Worcester return

Ben Jaycock talks to the former England No 8 and current Chinnor coach about the challenges playing in the second tier

- Ben Jaycock

CHINNOR director of rugby Nick Easter welcomes Worcester Warriors' return to the Championship, hailing the former Premiership club's presence as a vital boost to the quality and credibility of the second tier.

Easter joined Worcester as forwards and defence coach under director of rugby Steve Diamond in 2022 but the club fell into administration shortly after the former No.8 joined the club.

Worcester have secured some major signings, signalling their intent, with 17 in all, including the likes of Fraser Balmain, Josh Bassett and Tiff Eden.

The East Midlands side have already sold over 3,000 season tickets for their return to action following a three-year hiatus and Easter, whose Chinnor side ranked third in the Championship's average attendances, believes visiting Sixways will provide an injection of atmosphere after feeling like they are playing in front of 'one man and his dog' at certain grounds last season.

Easter told The Rugby Paper: "It's going to be tougher with Worcester coming in, they're already poaching a lot of players who've performed well in both the part-time and full-time sides. And let's be perfectly honestthey're one of only two sides that the Premiership will allow in if they win the league.

"They've probably got the pick of the Premiership dropouts. They're already recruiting pretty strongly, and after Ealing, they'll be up there with Donny and Coventry with the second biggest budget as well."

Despite some critics questioning Worcester's re-entry into the league system after financial collapse, Easter struck a sympathetic tone.

He added: "It's good to see them back. I know some people are like, 'Oh, well they shouldn't be back, they haven't done it the right way' But English rugby isn't in a good way. They're a club that was let down by two people, not the support base and not the players.