DAVID Denton says the departure of Will Spencer at the end of the season will be a “huge loss” to Worcester Warriors.

And the back rower has expressed the need for Warriors to now find a replacement for the “world-class” lock.

After several weeks of speculation it was announced Spencer would leave Warriors in the summer to join Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers.

Warriors’ fans reacted angrily to the news of his exit on social media last Friday as Spencer had established himself as a key player for the Aviva Premiership side.

“I understand why fans would be disappointed,” Denton said.

“He is a great player and it will be a huge loss to the club when he has gone.

“We are going to have start looking now to fill the void he is going to leave.

“We wish him all the best as that is how professional sport works these days.

“There are a lot of clubs out there with high ambitions and they are trying to get players from all over the place so we understand.”

Spencer made the move to Warriors ahead of the 2016/17 campaign after a frustrating couple of years with injuries at Bath.

The 25-year-old made 17 appearances in his first season at Worcester and went on to play in England’s non-cap match against the Barbarians last summer.

He has also been named among head coach Eddie Jones’ list of unavailable players who could feature later in the Six Nations as he is currently overcoming ankle surgery.

But Denton reckons England’s coaches are likely to take a “closer look” at Spencer when he plays in Leicester’s colours next term.

“It is disappointing but everyone understands his decision,” Denton said.

“Spenny is a world-class player and I truly believe he should be playing for England.

“He is one of the most physical players I have ever played with.

“His ceiling is so high that I think that being at Leicester will do well for his international ambitions.

“I think that’s probably the main reason he went.

“It will be good for him to try something news.”

After more than a year out of the Scotland fold, Denton who signed for Warriors last summer has been selected in Scotland’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

His teammate Josh Adams has also gained his first call up for Wales following his stunning form for second-from-bottom Warriors.

“The reason I came to Worcester coincidently was to fulfil my international ambitions,” Denton said.

“It is a great club and somewhere where I wanted to be involved in.

“I knew it was a club that would support my ambitions to play for my country again but it’s situational for different people.

“I think particularly in the England set up they might take a closer look at him (at Leicester).

“Maybe he would have been looked at here, who knows? But he has made a tough decision and I stand by him.”