Rory Duncan and Worcester Warriors to part ways?

Worcester Warriors head coach Rory Duncan looks set to leave the Premiership outfit after they gave him permission to talk to other clubs.

According to reports in South Africa, PRO14 side the Southern Kings have Duncan on a four-man shortlist to replace Deon Davids as their head coach.

This has prompted Worcester Warriors to release a club statement which said: “The club has put in place a strategic plan for the future of Warriors.

“We do not envisage Rory Duncan being part of those plans.

“Therefore we’ve given Rory permission to seek opportunities elsewhere.”

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, Samoa boss Steve Jackson and Cheetahs assistant coach Corniel van Zyl are the other candidates who are in the running to take over the coaching reins at the Kings.

Duncan, who was earmarked as a potential long-term replacement for current Worcester Warriors director of rugby, Alan Solomons, will stay on as a member of the Premiership club’s coaching staff for now as he is under contract until the end of the 2019/20 season.

The 41-year-old was the Cheetahs’ director of rugby before joining Worcester in May 2018.

Photo credit: Official Worcester Warriors website