FORMER England coach Geoff Cooke looks favourite to take over Worcester Rugby Club's first team on a permanent basis following the sacking of Les Cusworth.

Chairman and millionaire backer Cecil Duckworth said today he is not considering outside applicants until Cooke has had a month at the Sixways helm.

Cusworth was sacked as director of rugby on Monday and the decision was announced yesterday after the players and staff had been informed.

Cooke, who joined in the summer as chief executive, will take over for Worcester's remaining four Premiership Two fixtures but could be in charge for the start of next season's campaign.

"Geoff Cooke is an England coach and a coach of Yorkshire and will be taking over full-time certainly until the end of the season and we'll see how we do," said Duckworth.

"He'll be doing two jobs and will have to have some help but I will help assist on the business side.

"He loves coaching and has a proven track record in that area."

Cusworth's sacking follows Saturday's 42-0 thrashing at Rotherham which means Worcester are due to finish third in Premiership Two, the same position as last season.

"We're not doing as well as we wanted to do," added Duckworth. "It's very similar to last year and that's not what we want if we are to get where we're going.

"I've had discussions with Les since Christmas but it came to the crunch after the Rotherham match, I thought it was better to do it sooner rather than later."

Les Cusworth still had two years left of a five-year contract and declined to comment about the sacking.

"I've been told by a legal advisor not to say anything," he said.