We could be getting some French flair at Warriors (From Worcester News)

We could be getting some French flair at Warriors

10:00am Saturday 2nd June 2012 in News By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

PLAYERS and coaches from Top 14 giants Biarr-itz could come to Warriors as part of an exchange scheme after the two clubs agreed a new link-up.

The first example of the new scheme has seen Worcester add the Basque club’s attack coach Mathieu Rourre to the Sixways coaching staff on a consultancy basis.

Rourre, who is academy director at the south of France-based Amlin Challenge Cup winners, has been given permission to work part-time for Warriors by his club president, the legendary French full-back Serge Blanco.

Worcester head coach Richard Hill explained: “I met up with Serge and he was very supportive that Mathieu should go and work with the Warriors and also very supportive of a strong relationship between the two clubs.

“We will look at an exchange of coaches and players, our strength and conditioning teams and medical staff will also look to share ideas and best practice.

“This will give our coaches and players another valuable experience. We will look at Biarritz and the way they approach their rugby. It is a different style and ideology.”

The Warriors boss continued: “I have always been excited by many French teams.

“The French, when they are on the front-foot, are the best attacking rugby nation in the world. They are much more dangerous counter-attacking and there will be things that we can learn from it.

“As far as Warriors are concerned, we will have a new coach from France as we need to develop our attack alongside our defensive structure. It is the time to put things in place to score more tries.

“It will take some time but Mathieu will come over and work with us and I will then follow it up when he is not here.

“He will also review us on video and reinforce what he is teaching us.”

Sixways managing director Charlie Little admitted he was delighted by the prospect of building up a powerful link with Biarritz.

“We are excited by the relationship we can now develop with Biarritz,” he said. “Mathieu will remain employed with them, but we have agreed with Serge that he will be released to come over here and work with our attack strategy.

“This has really opened up doors to a strong relationship with them.

“They are the reigning Amlin Challenge Cup champions and will be playing Heineken Cup rugby next season, so have not only a rich pedigree but also a very bright future.

“This will provide our support staff with potential career development with exchange of best practice and new ideas. We feel this can only be a positive relationship between the two clubs.”