Worcester have appointed former Scotland forwards coach Dean Ryan as their new director of rugby.
Ryan takes over at the Aviva Premiership club following Tuesday’s departure of head coach Richard Hill after almost three seasons in charge at Sixways.
The 46-year-old Ryan, the former Gloucester coach who was part of Scott Johnson’s coaching team during the recent RBS 6 Nations, will begin his new role with Worcester following the final game of the season against London Welsh.
Hill departed Sixways with immediate effect, and Ryan was installed as red-hot favourite to lead the Warriors next term.
Since leaving Gloucester in 2009, Ryan has built a reputation as an outstanding rugby analyst with Sky Sports, although it would appear that working with Scotland has whetted his appetite for a top-flight coaching return.
He will take charge of a squad considerably different from this season’s. Hill had already made eight new signings, including fly-half Paul Warwick from Stade Francais, former Exeter playmaker Ignacio Mieres and Montpellier forward Agustin Creevy.
But there will also be some high-profile exits this summer, with England prop Matt Mullan and goal-kicker Andy Goode moving to Wasps, England squad flanker Matt Kvesic joining Gloucester and full-back Errie Claassens being snapped up by Bristol.
Ryan will undoubtedly have his own ideas about squad strengthening, and further new arrivals can be expected.
Worcester can finish no higher than ninth this season, with Hill having failed to deliver the progress the Warriors directors required.
Hill’s coaching team and operations director Corin Palmer will take charge of the team for the final two Premiership matches of the season.