WORCESTER Warriors players were surprised to see former director of rugby Dean Ryan for the first time since his abrupt departure from Sixways.

Ryan watched Warriors’ 37-22 Aviva Premiership defeat against Bath from the stands at the Recreation Ground and his face flashed up on the big screens inside the stadium.

Ryan left Warriors after three years with little warning soon after the start of pre-season training.

And Ryan did not say a farewell to the many players he brought to Warriors.

“I don’t think we knew (Ryan was at the match) until a couple of guys spotted him on the big screen,” admitted fly-half Tom Heathcote, one of his signings.

“I don’t think it was a factor in terms of the performance.”

Heathcote added: “Dean decided to move and the boys are settled with that and moving forward with Hoggy (Carl Hogg) and the other coaches.”

Head coach Hogg said he knew Ryan would be at the match in his capacity as head of international player development with the Rugby Football Union.

And the former Sixways boss would have been interested to see rookies Jamie Shillcock and Josh Adams on their Premiership debuts and wing Perry Humphreys score a fine try.

Full-backs Chris Pennell (neck) and Ben Howard (ankle operation), wing Bryce Heem (knee), lock Will Spencer (back) and centre Ryan Mills are among those on injured list.

“We have had a lot of injuries and the young guys stepping up means the squad is a bit stretched,” admitted Heathcote, who made his first start of the season against his former club Bath.

“But we have plenty of guys to come back and it will be pretty exciting when they do and when everyone is fighting for places.

“We are missing a number of big players and big names and I am sure they will add something when they come back.”

Heathcote added: “The young guys who have stepped up in their place have really put down a marker.”