Nick Easter to begin new chapter at Worcester
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Former England number 8 Nick Easter will start a new chapter at the struggling Worcester Warriors, commencing with the 2022-23 season.
Easter is currently serving with Newcastle Falcons as defence coach, but will take charge of the Worcester forwards in addition to defence duties with Warriors.
“Nick will be a huge addition to our management team,” said Steve Diamond, consultant at Worcester.
“He has vast playing experience at the highest level and he has served an excellent coaching apprenticeship at Harlequins, Sharks and Newcastle.
“I have been very impressed with his mentality of how he wants us to play moving forward. He is very ambitious and his forthright approach will complement our coaching team.”
Easter himself is looking forward to working with Diamond, as the pair have been respected adversaries for around two decades.
“I have always appreciated and respected what Steve has done in the game, particularly at Sale and how he has built that club up a couple of times,” Easter said.
“They were struggling, he went back there when they probably didn’t have the resources that they have now. He can get the best out of a group of players and individuals in terms of managing potential. He understands what it takes to win games of rugby, particularly in the Premiership.
“I have enjoyed his company and from our discussions in the last few weeks, we both seem very aligned in how we see the game. The opportunity at Worcester is exciting as well. It’s a fresh start under Steve and it is an excellent opportunity. It’s a club with good investment, ambitious owners and one that needs to be put on the map.
“I remember playing against Worcester with Orrell when they got promoted ahead of us in 2004,” Easter continued. “You knew what they stood for then with that Tony Windo side.
“Since then stars have come and gone and it’s never quite clicked. We have now got a chance to imprint an identity on the club, to build from the bottom up, build something sustainable and something that lasts.
“What I really like is the squad that Steve is putting together and the guys who are staying. There is a great backline there, he is bringing in some talented, hard-nosed experienced forwards which you need so that the backs get the quality of ball they need. If we can amalgamate them quickly, get a clear plan in place, practise it in pre-season and get buy-in from the players then hopefully we should see performances improve.”