CENTRE Richard Tomlinson is considering quitting rugby after being released by Worcester.

The reliable inside-centre has not played first team rugby since breaking his leg against Rugby in October 1998 and is now working as a surveyor full-time.

His injury meant he was unable to play at all until the end of last season. He was then offered a six-month contract until January to fight his way back into the first team.

But opportunities have been limited and the club have now released him.

The 28-year-old former Rugby and Nottingham back has had offers from other clubs but has yet to commit himself to a new contract.

"At the moment I'm just taking stock of what I'm going to do," he said. "I've had various options to go to different clubs in different capacities as a part or full-time player, but I've decided to go back to work again and work full time, I don't want to rush it."

Tomlinson is the sixth player in the past fortnight to leave Worcester following Duncan Hughes, Dave Sims and Jamie Connolly whose loan deals to Bedford were confirmed yesterday.

Last month Ali McLaughlin was released on loan to Stourbridge and hooker Marco Caputo announced his retirement.

"Everyone's making a fuss about Worcester clearing out players, but sometimes difficult decisions have to be made," said Director of Rugby Les Cusworth.

"Richard has been a great servant to the club but he's struggled to get back to where he was physically.

"Despite the problems we've had with getting second team fixtures we've given him every opportunity and he's trained hard to try and build himself back up.

"But Richard has had his problems and feels the level of Allied Dunbar Premiership rugby is beyond him," said Cusworth.

Tomlinson is a former King's School, Worcester, pupil who returned to Worcester in 1996 to play a star role in two championship-winning campaigns at Sixways.