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The Diamond 'mess' reaction to Worcester quartet joining Bath
By Liam Heagney
Worcester boss Steve Diamond has tweeted his reaction to four Warriors players joining Bath on loan this week. With the Sixways club currently suspended by the RFU and the latest payroll unpaid, the first move in what is expected to become a squad player exodus was confirmed on Monday evening when Gallagher Premiership bottom club Bath announced they had secured the services of four Worcester players - including two England internationals.
Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valeriy Morozov were all unveiled as Bath players, Johann van Grann’s club tweeting: “With a high number of injuries to ball carriers and players in key positions, the quartet have joined the Blue, Black and White as short term injury dispensation cover.”
The 23-year-old Lawrence, last capped by England in the July 2021 Twickenham win over the USA, soon added: “Not quite how I saw this season going, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue playing with Bath.
“I’m hoping it won’t be my last time in a Worcester jersey, but for now I just want to say thank you to everyone at the club and the fans!”
With the called-off Worcester matches against Gloucester and Harlequins now officially cancelled and the club facing a winding-up HMRC hearing this Wednesday at the High Court, it is no surprise that players at the Warriors are now exploring other avenues to play as there is no guarantee that the next scheduled match, the October 22 trip to take on Bristol at Ashton Gate, will go ahead as the suggested takeover has failed to happen.
The quartet have exited with the blessing of Diamond, the Worcester director of rugby. “The first four players, Ted, Oli, Val and Ferg, go to Bath with our best wishes,” he commented on social media. “Four tough lads. Thank you, Bath for helping. Players are free-spirited. They need to play. I will deal with the mess. Hopefully, the boys will come home. Night.”
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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