HEAD coach Rory Duncan and Worcester Warriors find themselves in a state of “limbo” which “is not good for anyone”.

That’s the view of ex-Warriors flanker Carl Kirwan who has urged the club to clarify Duncan’s future as soon as possible.

Duncan is understood to have one year left on his current contract but Warriors have allowed the South African to speak to other clubs and “do not envisage” him being part of their future plans.

Kirwan described Warriors’ statement which came after it was confirmed Duncan was in the running to become Southern King’s new head coach as “very strange”.

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Duncan has reportedly withdrawn from the race and is understood to be working at Sixways ahead of the 2019-20 season.

But Warriors are refusing to make any further comment on the situation — a stance Kirwan believes is only adding to uncertainty amongst players.

“This is pretty standard Worcester as there’s always some confusion within the club,” said Kirwan who ended his four-year stay at Warriors this summer.

“But it is a bit of a weird one.

“I thought he did alright last year. He seemed to settle in reasonably quickly and I think everyone thought he was going to keep climbing within the club.

“But unfortunately that hasn’t been the case.”

Duncan was interviewed for the Kings vacancy last month along with Samoa boss Steve Jackson, ex-South Africa chief Pieter de Villiers and Cheetahs forwards coach Corniel van Zyl.

Warriors then cast doubt over Duncan’s future when they issued a statement on July 15 which all but ruled the 42-year-old out of their long-term plans.

“It is a very strange situation especially with the timing of that (statement),” Kirwan said.

“You would think they would try to keep that to themselves a little bit more.

“But obviously there have been some other ideas within the club.”

Kirwan said he had spoken to “a couple” of players at Warriors including lock Michael Fatialofa who told him “it was a bit uncertain around the forwards coach”.

“It’s always going to be tough for a player,” said Kirwan who has joined National One side Chinnor following his departure from Warriors.

“You get used to a certain style of coaching and their ideas. Particularly with Rory it was the lineouts which are a huge part of the game.

“You get used to that calling structure and the way you want to play so you can all get on one hymn sheet.

“If he’s no longer involved anymore I don’t know who takes over that role.”

With less than two months to go before Warriors return to competitive action, Kirwan emphasised the importance of clarifying Duncan’s place at the club.

“They have got to get it sorted quickly one way or another,” Kirwan added.

“They have either got to keep him on for the season and let the club settle down again or they have got to go the other way and get someone else in and start moving forward.

“Just sitting in limbo is not good for anyone.”