Wychavon District Council will today hand Worcester Warriors their Premiership ticket.

The National One champions were told last week by the board of England Rugby Limited that they had passed entry criteria to the Premiership subject to them gaining planning permission for their new temporary East Stand.

That permission will arrive today to seal Worcester's long-awaited Premiership status.

"I will be clearing the planning permission today," said Wychavon District Council's principal area planning officer Mike Hurst.

"There are no problems and it is a delegated matter so I can clear it without any need for a meeting."

Meanwhile, Worcester have added to their coaching staff with the return of Billy McGinty.

The former Wigan rugby league star, who represented Great Britain four times, won two Challenge Cups, two Regal Trophies, Premiership and league championships as well as two World Club Championships, has been installed as the Worcester club's new skills coach.

McGinty enjoyed a successful time at Worcester two seasons ago as a defensive coach and has been brought in to work closely with the players on skills and also concentrate on the analytical side.

"I can't wait for the season to start," he said. "It's great to be back at Worcester, working with the coaches and the players and it's a wonderful challenge.

"I think we'll cause quite a few shocks in the Premiership next season and certainly surprise a few who think we're going to come straight down.

"My role will be to help the players on their core skills, to work with them on their development and also on the analytical side," said McGinty.

"It will be an important aspect next season because we will be looking very closely at the opposition. We must make sure we play to our strengths in every game in the Premiership."

After leaving Worcester, McGinty was head coach at Workington before a brief spell at Huddersfield Giants.

Worcester are hoping that Tommy Hayes will qualify as a European player for next season after Tom Bowman's arrival. Bowman -- an Australian lock -- qualifies as an overseas player while Hayes has been Worcester's only 'foreigner' for their National One campaign.

However, with Hayes having spent more than the qualifying four-year period in the United Kingdom, he can now apply for British citizenship and that would free up another 'foreigner' spot for Worcester in the Premiership campaign.

"We are hoping that Tommy will do that because it would be helpful," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain. "It is something that we have to discuss with him, however. It's not essential but it would free up a slot."