WARRIORS’ lengthy injury list is the main reason behind the club’s humiliating start to the Aviva ‘A’ League season, according to Sixways head coach Richard Hill.

Worcester Cavaliers have began the competition with back-to-back home games, but have been hammered 82-0 by Gloucester United and then 67-10 by Northampton Wanderers on Monday night.

With the club’s academy scaled down for this season and as many as 12 senior players sidelined by injury, Hill has been forced to field ‘A’ League teams made up of youngsters just out of school alongside guest players from local amateur clubs.

He explained: “Out of squad of 36 senior players we have been without 12 players through injury and that has hit us hard. It’s frustrating because we obviously want to see as many of them out playing every week.

“We have had 24 players fit for Aviva Premiership rugby, so we couldn’t afford to play them in the ‘A’ League because of the risk of injury.

“We have had that core group of players for the first three league matches and very fortunately we have not picked up any more injuries in those games.

“Nikki Walker came back for the first time last weekend so we have been down to 11 injured players, but that is still a large number to be without.

“This has clearly had an impact on the ‘A’ League and meant we have not been able to field many of the other senior players for risk of injury.

“We had a few players come back on Monday, such as Blair Cowan and Ed Shervington, who both had 40 minutes of game time.

“But normally we would be able to field a side with the likes of Danny Gray, Errie Claassens, Ravai Fatiaki, Paul Hodgson, Jon Clarke, Jake Abbott, Neil Best and Tevita Taumoepeau when they are available.”

Hill insisted Worcester do take the second string competition seriously, but aded there is nothing he can do to put out a competitve side until the injury problems ease.

The Warriors boss said: “We are not deliberately putting out under-strength teams, but our hands have been tied by the injury situation.

“The academy numbers have been reduced this season in a bid to integrate the best young players into our senior programme, but even they have been hit with injuries with the likes of Tom Carlisle, Max Stelling and Ed Taylor all unavailable.

“Against Northampton, we fielded a lad called Tom Baker at fly-half, who I know well from Bath where he lives near me and plays. He found himself up against Ryan Lamb and although it was a tough ask he relished the opportunity.”

Against Wanderers on Monday, Dudley Kingswinford guest player Stefan Shillingford scored a first-half try, before the visitors opened up a commanding 34-5 lead at the break.

Full-back Ben Howard capped a fine team move to score in the second-half, but the Northampton side were far too strong and romped to victory.