SAM Vesty is the first to admit he’s in it for the long haul at Worcester — but he believes the LV= Cup might just provide the short-term fix to the Warriors’ poor start to the season.

Under Dean Ryan’s tutelage, Warriors have not won a single one of their nine matches in all competitions so far and have lost all seven of their Premiership clashes.

Ryan has been at pains to point out, however, that the big picture is paramount and with Vesty joining Sixways as academy transition manager in the summer, he will play a crucial role in realising the long-term vision of the club.

First things first, Warriors need to get back to winning ways, sooner rather than later, and Vesty believes the LV= Cup could be the perfect way to restore confidence — citing how it did the trick for beaten finalists Sale Sharks last season.

“Once you get that first win, it reverberates around the squad and that positive energy comes back and you get on a bit of a roll,” said Vesty.

“We need that — it is really important to us — and if we get a couple of wins in the next couple of weeks with our younger guys playing and bringing a bit of enthusiasm, hopefully that will spread across the senior squad and come out on the pitch throughout the whole year.

“I think for any club to become a big club you have got to invest in the bottom and you have got to have quality youngsters coming through your academy who care about playing for Worcester and who have won playing for Worcester and know what it feels like to win things.

“If you get the foundations right, it is a real good thing for your first team.

“In four or five years that is what your first team will be based on. I think it is a great opportunity for the younger guys to get a chance playing proper senior rugby with some quality, experienced guys.

“It is their first real shot at getting into the first team and if they get their foot in the door, you never know where they are going to end up. It is a great shot for them.

“Getting my guys onto the pitch is basically what I’m all about. Getting the best out of the 18, 19, 20-year-olds and seeing if I can get as many of those guys prepared to play professional senior rugby. Once they get on there, that is their opportunity.”

Winger Ben Howard is among the brightest young things at the club at the moment — having helped England under 20s win the Junior World Championship this summer, while centre Max Stelling and George de Cothi are others to catch the eye.

Vesty admits it’s up to him to ensure they fulfil their talents. “Ben is playing really well at the moment and hopefully he will get a shot and keep playing well,” he added. “Max is a young guy who has been playing well for the Cavaliers and is really pushing the coaches, so hopefully he will get some game-time.

“Another young one is George, who has come from nowhere really.

“We have got some bright young things and, with these opportunities, that is all they can ask for.”

n Be part of the rugby family at the LV=Cup final at Sandy Park, Exeter, on March 16. Tickets now available ticketmaster.co.uk