WORCESTER Warriors will be making a statement shortly on their planned new coaching structure at Sixways, says director of rugby Dean Ryan.

Sam Vesty is Worcester’s academy transition coach and could make a step up to first-team level following the departure of backs coach Shane Howarth.

Vesty led the Cavaliers to the Aviva A-League final this term and has had a key role in guiding Warriors into the semi-finals of the British and Irish Cup.

“There hasn’t been any disruption to the team, there hasn’t been massive change and we have not announced anything internally either,” said Ryan.

“The players have not noticed anything. The first team have worked with Sam, Paul Warwick and Mefin Davies at different stages of the season so this week hasn’t been a disruptive week albeit we have had significant change within it.

“When we make the announcement then it will be more formalised about the structures going forward,” added Ryan.

Howarth, a former New Zealand and Wales full-back, joined Warriors in 2013 and left the club by ‘mutual contest’, according to Ryan.

“Shane’s contract was up in the summer and, after conversations with him, we decided mutually that wasn’t something that was going to go forward,” said Ryan.

“It was a conversation about an end-of-contract scenario which was held in the right way and everybody’s opinions and views were aired and then taken into consideration.

“There aren’t any surprises in it and there isn’t anything which has happened - this is just a fact of life when working in this scenario.”

He added: “In a very short space of time we will let everybody know what is happening.

“We would like to go on record to thank Shane for his contribution and he will always be part of what we started here and nobody can take that away.

“I know his own feelings of this place and he’s incredibly warm about everything that has gone on at the club.”

Ryan added: “We will announce what we are moving to next but before that we will give it a bit of time and respect.”