Comment

AFTER announcing the signing of Wales international Hal Luscombe this week, Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock has promised he is constantly seraching for more players to strengthen his Sixways squad.

The Worcester chief was delighted to have secured the services of the South African-born centre/wing, who he often favoured during his time as head coach of Wales.

However, he has now turned his attention to capturing more new faces as well as extending the contracts of the current squad members he sees as vital to taking the team forward.

He said: "We are looking every week to secure players - whether that is within the camp or players from outside. Sometimes it happens quicker than at other times - particularly when you have to have meetings with players and their agents.

"There are often numerous meetings to sort words out in the contract even when the financial side of it has been sorted.

"We're expecting some good news on a couple of other guys' contracts soon too."

Ruddock also revealed he held talks with Dragons stand-off Ceri Sweeney but cooled his interest as the Welsh play-maker was set for a switch to Cardiff Blues.

Ruddock said: "I did speak to Ceri's agent in the end, but he'd already gone a fair way down the track with the Cardiff Blues, so we backed off and let them carry on with that process."

The Worcester boss had to beat off interest from several other clubs to secure Luscombe, whose versatility played a big part in tempting Ruddock to move for him.

Ruddock added: "There was definitely a lot of interest in Hal - particularly from back in Wales. He liked what Clive Griffiths and I are trying to do in terms of the style of rugby we've always tried to coach and it also fitted him wanting to stay in an ambitious environment.

"He's played well at international level against top quality players and I know what this guy is capable of. He can play more than one position too, which is a useful attribute to have in the modern game.

"But I've brought him in as an out-and-out 13."

2:00pm Saturday 15th March 2008

Print

Email this

Comment