THREE Sixways stars were due to play for Bedford in a trial today before thrashing out loan or transfer deals on Monday.

Lock Dave Sims, centre Jamie Connolly and utility back Duncan Hughes are all in the Bedford squad to face Banbury.

Their move comes after a week of intensive player interviews which could see Worcester trimming their squad ahead of bidding for a Premiership One franchise.

"The boys have realised for a while they're not part of the long-term plans," said the players' agent Alastair Saverimutto.

"In the interests of the players I spoke to Bedford and arranged for them to play with Worcester's agreement.

"They will then either go on loan or sign completely new contracts and I'm sure Worcester will be co-operative.

"It's down to the players on Saturday and how they perform," said

"They're absolutely delighted with the opportunity they've been given and have already felt the buzz of being at a Premiership One club."

Bedford could still play against Worcester in a promotion play-off at the end of the season but Saverimutto added that any loan deals would exclude the Worcester players being chosen for Bedford.

For Sims it is another set-back for a player who was in the England team just 18 months ago during their disastrous tour of the southern hemisphere.

He returned to captain Gloucester but was later dropped and left at the end of last season to join Worcester but he has not been a first team regular.

Connolly joined Worcester from West Hartlepool in the summer and was a first team regular until the signing of Andy Currier from London Welsh in December.

Hughes has played for Worcester since 1991, but his regular slot in the first team was ended by the arrival of full-back Sateki Tuipulotu.

Five players have now moved from Worcester in the past week following Ali McLaughlin's loan to Stourbridge and Marco Caputo's retirement, but Les Cusworth has stressed no permanent transfers have been signed.

"We need to get them to play meaningful rugby and this can be done with a loan deal," said the Sixways Director of Rugby.

n Worcester take on North-ampton Saints at Sixways next Tuesday.

A Worcester Development XV will face their Northampton counterparts in a friendly (7pm). Entrance will be free of charge.