JOHN Brain is celebrating a treble after signing up academy starlets Neil Mason, Jon Higgins and Gary Trueman on professional contracts.

The three, who have all broken into Worcester Rugby Club's first team this season, have signed two-year contracts as members of the National One squad.

Back row forward Mason and fly half Higgins both travelled to Bracknell today for the league clash while centre Trueman has enjoyed a number of starts for the first team.

And head coach Brain was delighted to secure the youngster's services for the next two years.

"It's very positive news for Worcester," he said.

"It's important that the academy players know they have a chance to break through into the first team and this is a clear signal to the other ac-ademy guys that the door is ajar.

"They are not the only ones, however. We have a number of youngsters who we will be looking at for the first team.

"We have said all along that if we need a player for a position then we will look within the academy first.

"There are some talented youngsters here at Worcester and we need to make sure we keep hold of them."

Other young guns such as Ben Hughes, Chris Wilkes, Chris Moule, Dan Chesham and Peter Knight are already interesting Brain and the trio's signatures could just be the first of many as Brain begins to build his squad for next season's promotion push.

"These guys have an affinity with the club and that is important.

"They desperately want to play for Worcester because it's where they are from.

"Worcester has a tradition as cheque-book club but we want to get away from that.

"Hunger is a great thing for a coach to see and these players are very hungry to succeed."