LUCTONIANS are the latest club to operate a Worcester Warriors Junior Academy Centre.

The centre will provide the most talented young players in the area with a route to a career in the professional game.

The launch was combined with a coach education evening at the club, where Warriors transition coach Sam Vesty ran a session with Luctonians players before demonstrating how young players can develop their skills through adaptive games.

Luctonians director of rugby Alex Davidson said: “‘Luctonians has long since believed in promoting its best talent to play at a higher level.

“Our link with Warriors will provide an exit route for ambitious players within our own region, while increasing playing standards across the board.

“Having the likes of Sam Vesty working with Luctonians players is the first step and will offer the kind of information and resource sharing that will mutually benefit both rugby businesses.

“We hope to follow up the launch with a Warriors led evening discussing strength and conditioning and nutrition in the near future.”

Warriors will be opening a further centre at Hereford Cathedral School this winter.

Warriors High Performance Director Nick Johnston said: “We are excited at the prospect of working with Luctonians to bring through the best players in the region.”

Hereford Rugby Club chairman Ivan Powell has thanked Peter Redfern of Cotswold BMW Hereford for supplying the club with new post protectors and line flags, and also supplying the senior and colts coaches and managers with quality jackets to keep them warm over the winter months.

The committee and members would like to thank Cotswold BMW for their continued support.

Left to right, Bob Stewart (1st XV & Colts coach), Morgan Goodall (1st XV player sponsored by Cotswold BMW), Luke Yarrington (Colts Coach), Ivan Powell (Hereford Rugby Club Chairman), Peter Redfern (Cotswold BMW MD), Phil Green (Treasurer), Di Hickinbotham (Colts Manager) and Gareth Griffiths (1st XV Manager)