Worcester keep hold of Griffiths

Worcester have moved to re-sign Clive Griffiths with the Head Coach penning a one-year contract extension with the Guinness Premiership club.

Worcester have moved to re-sign Clive Griffiths with the Head Coach penning a one-year contract extension with the Guinness Premiership club.

Griffiths moved to Sixways last summer on an initial two-year deal with the option of an extension, which he has now agreed after helping rugby director Mike Ruddock steer Worcester into Sunday's European Challenge Cup Final against Bath.

“It has been a year of ups and downs and the run without a win at the start of the season was the first time I have ever experienced something like that in my entire career,” Griffiths said.

“But in many ways it galvanised the players and coaching staff and made us even stronger and the team we are today.

“The ultimate challenge now is to take Warriors into a regular spot in the top six and beyond.

“How fantastic it is after all the trials and tribulations of this season that we are also just one game away from the Heineken Cup next season.

“I have been nothing but impressed with the way the club is planning to take off and grow with the new stadium development and the strides being made by the players on the pitch.

“The vision at Worcester is to be the very best, and that is part of an exciting journey that I am delighted to be a part of.”

Griffiths was part of the Wales coaching staff under Ruddock that enjoyed Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory in 2005, and after renewing his partnership with Ruddock a year ago they have transformed Worcester's style of play since Christmas 2007.

And victory over Bath at Kingsholm this weekend would give them a Heineken Cup place for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have confirmed that fly-half Shane Drahm is to leave the club for Japan's Kubota Spears at the end of the season.

Australian Drahm had announced he was to make the move closer to home, but impressive recent form since returning from a loan-spell at National League One side Launceston led to speculation he might stay at Sixways.

However, Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has come out and said that this Sunday's Cup Final against Bath will be Drahm's last in a Worcester shirt.