WORCESTER’S new assistant forwards coach Phil Vickery could yet continue his consultancy role at Cinderford next season.
World Cup-winning former Gloucester prop Vickery was installed at Sixways yesterday, to work alongside the Warriors’ new forwards coach Nigel Redmond.
But The Citizen understands Vickery’s Worcester position could still allow opportunity for him to continue his input with the Foresters.
Cinderford boss Andy Deacon hailed 36-year-old Vickery’s Worcester move, and backed him to accelerate his coaching career now.
Deacon explained: “When you look at Phil winning things like Masterchef, that has opened up plenty of doors for him in another area of his life.
“And all of those commitments have been very important to him.
“Coming to coach at Cinderford was Phil’s chance to get back into rugby and see how he took to coaching really, and if it was what he wanted to do.
“And now the opportunity at Worcester has come along the challenge will be for him to balance that with all of his commitments outside of the game and make them all fit seamlessly.
“If he enjoys it and it all goes according to plan then I don’t see any reason why he would not want to move further into coaching and try to move up the ladder.
“If it goes well then he will jump straight in with both feet I’m sure. And it would be great to see that.
“This move is definitely Worcester’s gain, and I’m sure it will strengthen their line-up for next season. Phil is a very astute man, and he will have taken his time and checked everything out before agreeing to this.
“I would not be surprised if he had had several other offers, so the fact he has chosen Worcester indicates he feels this is the right move at the right time.
“I think this is a great move for Phil and I’m sure he will make a big success of things up there.”