MIKE Hall will be returning to Sixways to become Worcester Warriors’ new academy manager.

The 40-year-old was Warriors’ head of performance analysis from 2006 to 2011 but continued to live in central Worcester.

He is currently manager of Bristol Bears’ RFU regional academy but will move to Warriors as successor to Chim Gale.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “It is fantastic news for the club that Mike, a Worcester man through and through, is returning to Sixways.

“He has a proven record as an academy manager with Bristol and, with his knowledge of both the club and the area, will add huge value to our academy which is integral to our vision for the club.”

Hall is an RFU level four coach who graduated from St Luke’s College in Exeter with a degree in exercise and sports science and a PGCE in secondary physical education.

He taught for a year at Eton College and then lectured in sports science at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire where he also coached the college’s rugby academy.

A two-year stint as performance analyst with Ospreys followed before Hall joined Worcester for the first time in June 2006.

Since his arrival at Bears in 2011, Hall overaw the development of the likes of Ellis Genge, Mitch Eadie and Callum Sheedy.

Hall said: “I’ve had a fantastic time with Bristol Bears and it’s been a privilege to see how the academy has grown over the past eight years.

“The Bears’ vision has accelerated that progress and, under Pat Lam’s leadership and the new training facilities on the horizon, I leave with the club in a fantastic position to push on and achieve their goals.

“For family reasons, it’s the right time for me to seek a new challenge and I’m excited about the prospect of re-joining Warriors, a club I know well and an academy that continues to produce talented players.

“I’d like to thank everybody from across the game in the Bears catchment area over the past eight years that have helped support the development of young players in the region.”

Warriors co-owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham believe that Hall will build on the solid foundations laid by Gale.

“As owners we firmly believe that the academy is key to the continuous improvement and development of our club,” Whittingham said.

“It was vital, following on from all of the good work that Chim has done for the club, that our next appointment should be one that can take that good work to the next level.

“Having spent time with Mike and knowing that he understands our club mission and values I believe we have made the right decision.

“Having a strong and flourishing academy is essential to the future of the club. We have already seen the likes of Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Will Butler, Andrew Kitchener and Justin Clegg graduate from the academy to the senior squad.

"We are excited about the group of talented young players that we have in our senior and junior academy squads look forward to Mike having the opportunity to work with them.”