WORCESTER Rugby Club will be without captain Richard Denhardt and Tongans Sateki Tuipulotu and Sililo Martens for the rest of the season.

Denhardt and Tuipulotu were both injured during Saturday's disastrous 21-15 defeat at struggling Rugby Lions.

The lock was appointed captain by temporary coach Geoff Cooke two weeks ago but played for just 14 minutes of Saturday's game before damaging a rib cartilage.

His injury leaves the club with just one recognised lock for the final two Premiership games as Dave Sims cannot be recalled now that a March 1 deadline has been passed. Steve Lloyd announced his retirement last week.

Back-row forward Dave Merlin joined Chris Raymond in the second row on Saturday and will have to play there both at home to Manchester on Saturday and at Moseley in the club's final Premiership Two fixture.

"Losing Richard Denhardt is a severe blow, he has only just taken over the captaincy and was beginning to show some leadership," said Cooke.

Utility back Tuipulotu aggravated a hamstring strain during the second- half of Saturday's game at Webb Ellis Road.

Scrum-half Martens ruled himself out of the campaign before the weekend because of a groin strain.