WORCESTER Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold will not be staying at Sixways beyond the end of this campaign.

The 50-year-old South African has accepted an offer to become the head coach of the USA from next season.

Gold, contracted to Warriors until the end of the current campaign, will help the club identify a successor to carry on the work he has done since the start of 2017.

Worcester are currently bottom of the Aviva Premiership and searching for their first league win after five games.

Warriors chairman Bill Bolsover said: “We are naturally disappointed that Gary will be leaving the club at the end of the season but we fully understand his desire to coach at an international level.

“We are working with Gary to ensure we can appoint a director of rugby who is capable of building on the good work he and his coaching team have done this year and someone who is able to take us forward as Gary has done.

“We are confident Gary will be able to oversee a successful season for the club before he takes on his new position.”

Gold said: “I would like to thank Bill and the board for understanding my decision to accept the opportunity to coach at international level.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sixways and my focus will remain on Warriors until the end of the season where I hope to leave the vlub in a strong place to ensure it can be successful in the long-term.”