WORCESTER'S director of rugby John Brain has tipped lock Phil Murphy to join the club's collection of international stars.

Murphy was one of Warriors' big success stories last season and Brain thinks he is unfortunate not to be linking up with team-mate Kai Horstmann on England Saxons' Churchill Cup tour.

"I think Phil Murphy is a player who has the potential to do well at `A' level," said Brain. "I think he is probably a little unlucky he's not on that tour. There are a lot of quality locks in the country.

"Kai thoroughly deserves to be there. He's been a consistent performer."

Brain expects Chris Horsman to be involved with the Wales set-up again next season. With Pat Sanderson and Shane Drahm featuring regularly with England sides, he admits there may be added pressure on Worcester's squad.

Brain said: "It's inevitable the more successful you get, the more your squad is drawn on by international teams.

"And then that means your younger players have to be up to the mark.

"If you look at the recognition our younger players have had -- there's Chris Pennell, Matt Mullan, Nick Runciman, Richard Blaze and Uche Oduoza. Jamie Lennard was recently picked for England Under 21s in a trial match at Leicester.

"So I think there are players coming through and we've got a couple of other talented guys who we would expect to emerge. One of those players is a guy called James Collins, who is a back-rower and is in our academy. He'll be doing pre-season with the first team and we would expect him to develop very quickly. He's a very good player."

Meanwhile, Warriors have appointed a new general manager to oversee the major developments planned at Sixways over the next 15 months.

Charlie Little has arrived at the club from neighbours Gloucester and will be responsible for strategic development.

"I am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead," he said. "It's great to be joining at such an exciting time and I am delighted to be part of something so big.

"Worcester has an experienced and successful team of people and I am pleased to be working alongside them to take the club forward."

Worcester chief Cecil Duckworth said: "I am delighted Charlie is joining us and I am sure he will make a significant contribution to our development."