TASK master John Brain has earmarked extra training for Worcester Rugby Club's stars - AFTER the season has ended.

Sixways' head coach will ask the players - retained for next season - to come in after the final game at Moseley and stay on through May.

The move comes after a number of players returned to Sixways last summer carrying a few extra pounds, much to Brain's displeasure.

"It's something we discussed as a team," said Brain. "We are very conscious of the fact that the guys went away last year without an off-season programme.

"They then came back to us not in the best physical shape.

"What we are attempting to do is work the players, that we choose to retain, during the month of May immediately following the game against Moseley."

The former Gloucester man is hoping that the extra month's work will pay dividends in September when Worcester embark on another promotion challenge.

"The players will get five weeks off, away from the club," he added.

"They return to training on July 1 and we think that with this month's training and a proper off-season programme, the guys will come back in good shape.

"We won't have anyone at the club in May that we are not choosing to retain. That is a waste of time and ours.

"The players that are there in May will be the ones that figure in our plans for next season.

"We would like to think that we will know where we are with the players by the end of April.

"Talks are on-going with a number of them."