Richard Hill has been named as Worcester's new head coach © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Richard Hill

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | Worcester Warriors

Worcester have named former England scrum-half Richard Hill as the man they hope will inspire a quick return to the Guinness Premiership.

The former Bristol coach succeeds Mike Ruddock as Warriors head coach on a two-year deal and his time at the Memorial Ground has been cited as a major factor in the club's decision.

Relegation at the end of the season marked the end of a six-year stay in the Premiership but Worcester chairman Cecil Duckworth hopes that Hill can repeat his feats at Sixways, having taken Bristol from National One to Heineken Cup qualification during his six-year tenure.

"Richard has a proven track record of winning the Championship, taking a side into the Premiership and then on to the Heineken Cup in quick succession," Duckworth said. "He also has a strong belief in developing the right culture off the pitch that will benefit our group of players.

"This is exactly what we need at this point in time as we embark on our next journey with an immediate aim of returning to the elite. I am confident that Richard will be successful, and I will ensure that he receives all the support that he requires."

Hill, 49, has spent the last year working with French third division side Chalon-sur-Saone. He admitted that a chance to work with Worcester was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"This was an opportunity that I could not afford to let go," he said. "Everyone knows what a fantastic set-up the Warriors have. The chairman is very ambitious, and he has every right to demand success on the pitch after his financial commitment to the club.

"The facilities are as good as any in the country, and the supporters deserve success. For some reason, the performances on the pitch have not been what were expected, but I am excited by the challenge of taking the Warriors through the Championship and on to further success."