Solomons: Duncan will add huge value to Worcester

Cape Town - Worcester Warriors director of rugby Alan Solomons believes Rory Duncan will make a valuable contribution as head coach of the English club.

It was confirmed on Thursday that Duncan would leave the Cheetahs at the end of the current PRO14 campaign to join Worcester.

There he will join forces with fellow South African Solomons, a former Springbok assistant coach.

Solomons and Duncan had earlier worked together when the former was his coach at the Kings.

“Rory was my captain at the Eastern Province Kings, where he showed outstanding leadership qualities and a clear ability to develop as a coach,” Solomons told Worcester’s official website.

“When he retired at the end of the season I was able to assist him in his transition to coaching and we have remained in touch.

“As expected he has turned out to be an outstanding coach and I had no hesitation in appointing him to the head coach position at Warriors, an appointment which has been endorsed by our chairman Bill Bolsover.

“I look forward to working with Rory at Sixways, where I know he will add huge value.”

Bolsover added: “Our focus must be on building long-term continuity and Rory is someone who can come to the Club and become a key part of our future. I look forward to welcoming him to Sixways in the summer.”

Duncan said he was excited about the prospect of again linking up with Solomons.

“(The) Warriors are a club with huge potential, which is clear for everyone to see, and I will be working hard with Alan and the rest of the coaching staff to help the club move forward.”

Duncan has been involved in a coaching capacity at the Cheetahs since 2014 and was named head coach of the PRO14 side in July last year after swapping roles with Franco Smith.

His departure will see Smith combine the director of rugby and head coaching roles at the Cheetahs.