ANDY Keast swept through Worcester Rugby Club's revolving doors today promising fans 'total rugby'.

The 39-year-old coach stepped into Steve Townend's shoes as the former Wakefield man left Sixways after just four months of the season gone. Worcester's backs coach was yesterday released from his two-year contract following talks with chairman Cecil Duckworth and chief executive Geoff Cooke.

Townend was offered a role within Worcester's new RFU Academy in a coaching re-structure but decided to leave, feeling that Keast's appointment would make his position impossible.

Townend's departure, however, sees the reunion of John Brain and Keast after a successful four months together at Gloucester last season.

"I believe in total rugby," he said. "People talk about 15-man rugby but I'm a big believer that you coach players to have multi skills and be able to interlink together. Not only is it exciting for the spectators, it's enjoyable for coaches as well. It goes without saying that the players love that style of rugby."

Keast and Brain struck up a partnership which helped Gloucester turn around their season somewhat with victories over Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks and qualification for the Zurich Championship play-offs.

"Obviously I know John from our time at Gloucester," he added. "We've kept in touch ever since and I'm delighted to be working with him again. John and I can work well together. We showed that last year. He understands my way of thinking and really it is my experience that he wants at the club to help them get into the Premiership where everyone thinks they should be."

With expectancy levels higher than ever this season at Sixways, the pressure will be on Keast from day one. The former British Lions coach, however, is confident he can deal with it.

"I've had pressure all my life," he said. "When I left England to coach Natal, the expectations of 38,000 season-ticket holders were massive. It doesn't worry me, pressure is something you should thrive on because everyone wants to be the best. I'm an ambitious coach and I wouldn't have come to Worcester if I didn't feel we could get them in the Premiership.

"While I am delighted to come to Worcester, I am totally sympathetic towards Steve Townend. I've been in that situation myself but I've just answered a call from a club."