WARRIORS have unveiled grand plans to restore their youth structure to its former glory and plan to launch six new 'regional academy centres' later this year.

The Sixways junior ranks were all but disbanded under the instruction of former head coach Richard Hill, who was fed up of having his hottest prospects poached by other Aviva Premiership clubs.

However, Hill was fired just over a year ago and Dean Ryan was appointed Warriors' director of rugby and he spoke candidly about his disbelief at what had been allowed to happen to the club's academy.

Nick Johnston was soon recruited from Northampton Saints as high performance director and he has helped instigate the launch of the six new centres.

The centres, which are all set to open this autumn, will be based at Broadstreet Rugby Club, Hereford Cathedral School, Luctonians Rugby Club, Telford College of Arts and Technology, Warwick School and a Birmingham location to be announced at a future date. They will run alongside the club’s current centre at Sixways.

Youngsters between the ages of 13 and 18 will receive up to seven hours of coaching every week under the guidance of the club’s experienced academy coaches.

The regional academy centres will run alongside the club’s Development Player Pathway Programmes (DPPPs), which were set-up in the autumn of 2013, and their age-grade development squads.

Ryan said: “The future success of this club will be determined by ensuring we develop our own young players who display the right attributes and motivations to play for Worcester Warriors.

“We have placed a huge focus on building relationships and finding the right locations to launch these centres to allow us to work with the best young players across the region.

“We will work with players to aid their all-round personal development to ensure they maximise their potential.”