“FRUSTRATED” prop Joe Rees didn’t take his top tier opportunities at Worcester Warriors, according to director of rugby Dean Ryan.

The 25-year-old Welshman is leaving Warriors after seven Aviva Premiership appearances this term, starting only one.

The Swansea-born tighthead played 24 times last season as he helped Warriors to British and Irish Cup success and promotion from the Championship.

Rees announced his departure on social media and thanked his team-mates, coaches and fans for their support.

“He’s a tighthead prop and he struggled to be first choice tighthead prop and it’s as simple as that,” said Ryan.

“Providing opportunities is an aspect of giving a youngster a chance to show what they could so.

“But if you can’t do your fundamentals at the level of the Premiership then we will pretty quickly look for someone else to be given the opportunity.”

Rees is among 12 players leaving Warriors and scored his maiden try for the club against Saracens at Twickenham in November.

But the former Ospreys player has not featured for Warriors’ first team since playing against Bath at the Recreation Ground at the end of December.

Ryan said: “The reality is Joe has not played enough and that frustrates him.

“The reality of the Premiership is that when he’s had his opportunities he’s not been able to take them so we’ve got to look at getting someone else in to see if they can get to a higher standard.”

Other leavers are: Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier (Nevers, France), Ravai Fatiaki, Dan George, Mat Gilbert, Alex Grove, Charlie Mulchrone (Harlequins), Darren O'Shea (Munster), Dan Sanderson, Ben Sowrey (Newcastle Falcons), Heath Stevens (London Welsh), Andy Symons (London Irish).