ALTHOUGH he won’t be there to see the job through, departing forwards coach Phil Davies is full of belief that Warriors can complete their journey to the top of the English game.

Davies was announced as the new director of rugby at Cardiff Blues yesterday as his two-year stay at Sixways came to an end.

The former Wales international admitted the Cardiff job was one of the only positions that could have taken him away from Worcester.

Davies said: “As a club, Worcester has plans to be a powerhouse in European rugby. The board has that ambition and everybody is pulling together, the belief is something everyone shares and you can’t deny that.

“The potential is there to be a great, great club.

“Potential can be a hollow word, but having worked at Warriors I can see what is being done.

“Progress is being made, good structures are in place and the coaching team and support staff are working tirelessly.”

Davies also paid tribute to all the players he has worked with during his time at Sixways, adding: “I have been involved in rugby for 32 years, but at Worcester I have met some of the best men to work with.

“The likes of Adam Black, Craig Gillies, Chris Fortey, Pat Sanderson and Kai Horstmann are top people.

“Greg Rawlinson has to be one of the best players I have ever coached because he was very direct, he would give you everything and told you exactly what he felt, I liked that.

“The young players like Matt Kvesic, Ed Shervington, Jake Abbott and Matt Mullan have been great to work with too, as well as the likes of Graham Kitchener.

“Not to mention the Tongan boys with Aleki Lutui and Tevita Taumoepeau, the banter with them can be priceless.

“I have also loved working with the academy lads and have a huge amount of time for Andrew Stanley and what he has done.

“I had a group of forwards who worked hard, were respectful and wanted to improve as individuals. I hope we have brought a multi-skilled approach to the pack and a club that was renowned for its scrum and driving line-out has retained that integrity, but also developed.”

“We have our moments, nobody always agrees, but we have worked well together,” laughed Davies on the subject of his relationship with Sixways head coach Richard Hill.

“I have a massive amount of respect for Hilly. I have enjoyed the role, he is very methodical and he works incredibly hard, the club is lucky to have someone like him driving it on.

“I’ve also enjoyed my time working with Phil Larder — he is a world-class coach. All around me I have made friends and enjoyed my time with all the staff.

“Carts (Alun Carter), Picks (Stu Pickering) and all the medical and conditioning staff have been spot-on. Guys like Tenchy (Tom Tench) working hard on all the analysis work. These are young and talented men who are Worcester men — they want the best for this club.”