Worcester flesh out coaching staff with Premiership winner

Worcester Warriors have announced the a addition to their coaching staff ahead of next season, with former Gallagher Premiership winner Tom Cruse joining the club.

The former Sale Sharks, Rotherham Titans, London Irish, Wasps, Edinburgh Rugby and Northampton Saints hooker retired from professional rugby at the end of last season, and has spent the current campaign as forwards coach with Worcester’s opponents in Champ Rugby next season Bedford Blues.

The 36-year-old, who won the Premiership last season with Northampton, has guided Bedford to second place in the Championship currently.

The Warriors have made seven player signings thus far, but Cruse is the first of head coach Matt Everard’s assistant coaches to be announced.

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Cruse was a member of the Wasps side that suffered the same fate as Worcester in 2022, and moved to Edinburgh following the club’s demise. After a short stint in the Scottish capital, he joined the Saints for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, before signing a one-year contract extension.

He brought the curtain down on his career with the Premiership victory – though he did not feature in the final – before moving into coaching.

“I am delighted to be joining Worcester Warriors at such an exciting time for the club,” said Cruse.

“It’s a club with an incredible appetite and a proud fanbase. I know first hand what a fantastic person and coach Matt is. I look forward to joining the coaching team and seeing what we can build together.

Everard added: “Tom Cruse epitomises the kind of people we are building the club on. When it comes to coaching, he is invested in firstly the person, and then the player, resulting in him maximising the players potential both on and off the field. He has already made a brilliant start in his coaching career, with a big impact in his final season at Northampton Saints and playing a big part of Bedford Blues stand-out set piece performances this season.

“He is someone who I can wholeheartedly say I am looking forward to spending time with at Worcester Warriors every day.”