Worcester back-row Matt Kvesic has spoken about how upsetting the club’s financial issues have been as they approach the new campaign.
Kvesic, who starts their opener against London Irish on Saturday, is eager to put off-field frustrations to one side at Brentford Community Stadium.
The Warriors have had the club’s finances frozen by HM Revenue & Customs while the co-owners insist they remain in talks with possible buyers.
However, Kvesic admits it’s been a “stressful” period for the both players and staff but takes heart from how they have come together as a group.
Stressful time
“Let’s not gloss over the fact that it has been pretty stressful. It has been a tough couple of months, really,” said the back-row.
“But the way the boys have responded has been pretty exceptional. ‘Dimes’ (Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond) laid the law down pretty early on. He said we are going to ride this out and stay tight.
“There is no point sulking or going off in little groups and moaning about bits. The best way to behave is to stay tight and show that we are together as a group.”
Kvesic is in his second stint at Worcester having moved to Gloucester for a period and admits his job is only on the field as the Premiership begins.
“It has been pretty stressful. I am not going to pretend otherwise,” he added.
“But there is nothing I can do that will directly impact what is going on above me. I just have to do my job.
“At home, it is not ideal. I have got a little lad and there is worry about the future, but you can’t look too much into the future – you have to stay in the present.
This is my home
“Not once did I think about jacking it in. We didn’t get paid on time last month or the month before that, so that wasn’t too big an issue for me.
“I have experienced a couple of different clubs (Gloucester and Exeter) which I am really grateful for, but for me this is my home. To see where we are now is upsetting.
“We don’t want people to feel sorry for us. We have had a lot of unbelievable support – fans, sponsors, the community, other clubs.
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“But we don’t want to turn up for the first game of the Premiership season and just make the numbers up. We are not here to make the numbers up.
“Preparation has been a bit more tricky, but we all know how to play rugby, so it is about going out and putting our best foot forward against Irish and showing we mean business.
“I am sure we will be absolutely blowing. Come 20 minutes, I will be sweating, with my hands on my knees, but London Irish will be the same. Our preparation hasn’t been perfect, but that is no excuse.”
Captaining the Worcester side at Irish this weekend is new signing Cameron Neild, who only arrived at the club from Sale Sharks in the off-season.
In Dimes we trust
“The lads playing on Saturday have played thousands of games,” said Neild.
“When you cross the white line, you aren’t thinking about what is coming into your bank at the end of the month, you are thinking about the guy that is coming head-first into you and how you can put him on his backside.
“I have worked with Steve (Diamond) for a long time, and he is brilliant at getting his message across to the players, the staff, the owners and the wider audience.
“He is a really good man to follow. In ‘Dimes’ we trust.”