Jonny Arr's feeling emotional after a remarkable 23 years on Worcester's books

Worcester’s long-serving scrum-half Jonny Arr is to leave at the end of the season, ending a 23-year association with the Warriors as he played in the club’s mini and junior section and was a keen supporter of the side in the late 1990s.

Are graduated to the professional ranks in 2007 and has made 217 senior appearances. “The immediate emotion is one of sadness that it’s all going to come to an end. I have spent a huge portion of my life here. I have been playing rugby with a Worcester badge on my shirt since I was seven years of age,” he said.

“It has been a huge part of my life and that chapter is going to come to an end. So on one side there will be a feeling of sadness but on the other side it’s one of excitement because I have got the opportunity now to have a new challenge which is going to be really good for me. It’s a chance to almost start again.

“I have got no thoughts of hanging up the boots yet. I’m only 30, I would like to think I can still offer a huge amount to a team out there. I will spend the short-term finding what opportunities are out there and which ones are a best-fit.

“I’m keen to keep playing rugby. I feel like I have put a few tough years injury-wise behind me and I’m eager to continue my rugby journey. While it would have been nice to have hung my boots up here and called it a day after seeing my career out with Warriors, it’s not to be.”

A former Royal Grammar School student, Are made his senior debut in 2007 and only Chris Pennell of the current Warriors squad has been a professional with the club for longer. “I have got so many good memories here. Looking all the way back to my first season I over-achieved in the way I never thought I would.

“I had only just put my pen down from doing my A-Level exams, I went on holiday with my mates, I came back and was thrown straight in training with the first team. I would never have expected that.

“I was lucky to play a number of games in that first season which was massive in my development because it was almost a sink-or-swim moment. But I managed to make an impression and that set me up for the next few years.

“While it was difficult being relegated that first time I played a number of games in that Championship year and my rugby really developed massively in that year which culminated in promotion and winning player of the year.

“I will always remember the milestones, hitting 100, 150 and then 200 games for the club and most recently the Testimonial. It was a huge honour to be awarded one.

“I will take great pride in having remained loyal to the club and Chris Pennell has done the same. I hope that there are guys that follow suit in the future because it’s really important that this place has as many home-grown players as possible.”