ALISTAIR Murdoch will be confirmed as Worcester Rugby Club's new skipper later today.

The 33-year-old centre, who joined the Sixways club in the summer, will lead Adrian Skeggs' side in their National League Division One opener at Orrell on Saturday.

Murdoch is a former Australian international and was first team coach at Bedford last year with Skeggs as his assistant.

However, Worcester's director of coaching does not see the role reversal as a problem.

Skeggs said: "I feel comfortable reversing the role, there is no problem with Alistair and me because he wants to concentrate on playing.

"He is the complete professional on and off the pitch and will be a credit to Worcester.

"Alistair is very tough mentally and he will give the side the focus they need. He is also very fit, doesn't drink and is an example to everyone else."

Meanwhile, Worcester went down 26-20 to Bath last night in their final home pre-season match at Sixways.

Bath, parading former England stars Jeremy Guscott and Phil De Glanville, ran out comfortable winners but not before Worcester gave them a few scares.

Samoan Laulala Langkilde, who impressed with a series of hefty tackles and impressive runs, scored a fine try late on to put the visitors under pressure.

Bath had led for most of the match after tries from Gareth Cooper, Guscott, Iain Balshaw and De Glanville. Shaun Berne also kicked three conversions.

However, Skeggs' men showed character and kept pegging their illustrious opposition back.

Daniel Denton scored a first-half try after good work from Langkilde while Tony Yapp kicked two conversion and two penalties.