HEAD coach Carl Hogg believes Worcester Warriors are “in a scrap” and must “roll up” their sleeves to climb to Aviva Premiership safety.

The former Scotland international has been given sole leadership of Worcester’s rugby department as they sit second-bottom in the table.

The dual management role between Hogg and high performance director Nick Johnston has been broken up after a “review of rugby operations” at Sixways.

Chief executive Jim O’Toole believes Hogg’s “sole leadership” will give Worcester’s players “clarity” as they approach a crucial stage of the season.

"Rugby is our core business – I understand that,” said Hogg.

“I have been involved in the game for 30-odd years as a player and now as a coach and 15 years in the Premiership, so I understand the landscape.

“We obviously know we’re in a fight now. We’re in a scrap and we’re going to roll up our sleeves and find a reaction.”

Hogg and Johnston had been given joint responsibility of Worcester’s rugby department at the end of June after Dean Ryan’s surprise departure.

Johnston will continue in his role as the club's high performance director.

And O’Toole confirmed there are no plans to change the coaching staff or bring in a director of rugby.

Hogg said: “The change is just about making a more streamlined, professional and accountable environment.

“There was a change in the summer with the upheaval of Dean’s departure so we looked at a dual management system and this move is more about making a more accountable environment.

“I’ve always had autonomy over team selection and the way we played and the players we played.

“That doesn’t differ. I enjoy leading sides. I have led sides as a captain and as a player.

“We want to make Sixways a place where we are running at optimum.

"We’re in a competition which is hyper competitive and this is about finding the margins.

“The change was not due to something not having worked but it was a case of streamlining it to make it more professional and accountable for both staff and players.

"It’s about having a single voice and message we can get behind.

"It’s not necessarily about Nick and me - it’s about taking the club forward and we want this club to be a successful, winning environment.”

Hogg says he and Johnston will continue to work “closely” together and the coach is confident he can transform Worcester’s fortunes.

“Nick and I will still work closely together,” said Hogg.

“He brings a different skill-set to the environment and has a huge reputation in the game for the preparation of players and their environments. We will still work hand in hand.

“I know exactly what we need to achieve, the targets that are set and I know how to achieve them. The day to day answers will come from me."