WORCESTER Rugby Club have released England 'Sevens' star Ben Harvey.

The 25-year-old scrum-half, who was converted to a stand-off earlier this season, said he was 'shocked' by the news.

His contract expires this summer and he received a letter from Geoff Cooke on Monday to say he will not be offered another.

"I'm very shocked, I realised towards the end of the season I didn't play very well against Rotherham and Rugby, but I played well in other games," said Harvey.

"The position change was very difficult to get used to for a number of weeks and it was a pretty steep learning curve and Geoff told me I was doing well -- but now I find out I'm booted out.

"It was hard making the change but I enjoyed it there and how good I was is for other people to judge."

Harvey started 17 league games in two seasons at Sixways but was involved in as many games again as a replacement.

"I loved it at Worcester, the people and the fans have been fantastic so I've gone up to see James Lofthouse just to get away from it, I'm pretty depressed.

"I've been coaching the mini-juniors on Sunday mornings and they were fantastic people, everyone was a great help," said Harvey.

"I knew my contract was up but I had an inkling it might get renegotiated but I've got other irons in the fire and I would like to get back into the first division."

The club's chief executive Geoff Cooke has not commented on the matter apart from confirming that Harvey has been released.

Club press officer Nicola Goodwin added that Worcester hope to make two new signings before Cooke goes on holiday at the end of next week.