WORCESTER have released 14 players in their summer shake-up.

Coaches John Brain and Andy Keast finalised their retained list this week, which could yet include Jon Hylton and Siaosi Vaili if they agree personal terms on new offers.

Players that will not be staying, however, include big names such as Giscard Pieters, Brad MacLeod-Henderson and Tommy Hayes.

Pieters had to return to South Africa after his work permit ran out, while MacLeod-Henderson and Hayes will be moving on.

Hayes will, however, not be away from the Premiership for long. The former Cook Islander looks set to sign for Bristol following their promotion from National One.

Former England international Paul Sampson is also on his way, while there are no new deals for Duncan Roke, Ben Daly or Neil Cole.

Former academy graduates Jon Higgins and Neil Mason are also leaving Sixways and director of rugby Brain admitted that it was a tough decision to let Mason go.

"The decision to release Neil was a reluctant one," said Brain.

"He's a Worcester boy and he's a good player. We just felt that he falls in between two stools with the six and seven position. He's unlucky and it was a very tough decision.

"It was tough on him because he's always had ambitions to play rugby at a high level. I'm not sure what he will do now because he has business interests and maybe if he can't play at the top level, he will go into that business."

One player who Brain hopes will develop next season is Hylton. After winning a contract last year, the winger suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in August.

"We know Jonny very well and we wanted to give him another opportunity rather than taking a high price punt on someone we didn't know," said Brain.

"We've invested a lot in Jonny to get him fit and we felt that we would never forgive ourselves if we let him go and, two months later, he found his form.

"That's a similar situation with regards to Siaosi Vaili. We feel he can develop next season and build on his first Premiership campaign."

At the ripe old age of 36, Tony Windo has once again been offered a new deal to extend his Sixways stay. The evergreen prop, who was named player of the year by Brain and head coach Keast, enjoyed a magnificent campaign.

"I had great pleasure in offering Tony another contract," said Brain. "He's re-established as a force in the Premiership. Tony never stops improving and remains very hungry for success."

RETAINED: James Brown, Tim Collier, Thinus Delport, Lee Fortey, Craig Gillies, Leon Greeff, Drew Hickey, Ben Hinshelwood, Jon Hylton (subject to contract), Chris Horsman, Thomas Lombard, Phil Murphy, Matt Powell, Dale Rasmussen, Pat Sanderson, Steve Sparks, Gary Trueman, Siaosi Vaili (subject to contract), Tony Windo, Andre Van Niekerk.

RELEASED: Neil Cole, Ben Daly, Mark Gabey, Chris Hall, Tommy Hayes, Jon Higgins, Brad Mac-Leod-Henderson, Neil Mason, Daren O'Leary, James Percival, Duncan Roke, Clive Stuart-Smith, Giscard Pieters, Paul Sampson. Neil Lyman (retired).