THE make-up of Worcester Warriors’ coaching staff for next season is close to being finalised.

Highly-regarded coaches Jonathan Thomas and Matt Sherratt have agreed to join Warriors ahead of the 2020-21 campaign and boss Alan Solomons said his new-look team would be completed “by the end of January”.

Speaking to the Worcester News earlier this month, co-owner Jason Whittingham revealed Warriors would be making “two more” coaching appointments following the news that Thomas would be returning as forwards coach.

Since then Worcester have secured the services of Sherratt who will leave Ospreys to become attack and backs coach at Sixways.

And Solomons hinted that a further announcement would be made next month.

When asked whether he would be adding a third new coach, Solomons said: “We have made two coaching appointments and we will finalise the composition of our staff by the end of January.”

As part of the coaching shake-up head coach Rory Duncan and attack and backs coach Neil Doak will depart when their contracts expire at the end of this season.

The pair arrived in the summer of 2018 and soon made an impact as Warriors clinched a club record-equalling nine Gallagher Premiership wins and reached the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup and Premiership Cup in their first season.

Worcester have also made a strong start to this term but Solomons has decided to make changes for next season with Thomas and Sherratt replacing Duncan and Doak respectively.

“You have got to look at the totality and the fact that we have done well is something we have been building over a number of years,” said Solomons when asked to explain the reasons behind the coaching shake-up.

“There has been a growth. That’s not to say that everybody hasn’t participated.

“I think everybody involved with the club has been part of the little bit we have managed to achieve over the last few years.

“It is always a combined team effort and I think there has been a natural growth as we are slowly starting to realise our vision with the young lads beginning to push through into the team.

“Our coaching staff fits into that vision and that’s what it is about.”

Solomons insisted the changes should not be viewed in a negative light towards the work of Duncan and Doak.

“It shouldn’t be seen like that. Not at all,” Solomons said.

“Everybody has contributed positively to the progress that we have been able to make and everybody going forward will contribute positively to the progress that I am sure we are going to see in the years to come.”

Thomas and Sherratt already have strong connections to Warriors.

Thomas, 36, played for the club between 2013 and 2015 before retiring and becoming forwards coach at Bristol Bears.

Sherratt, 43, started his coaching career at Worcester before going on to work at Bristol, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys.

He was also Wales’ temporary backs coach during the 2016-17 season.

“I think they are two excellent young coaches and are going to add enormous value to the group,” Solomons said.

“What has been achieved in the past and what will be achieved going forward will be down to the collective.

“It is about all of us working well together, sharing the same vision, being aligned and having good synergy. That all contributes towards success.

“But I stress it’s about all of us, it’s not about individuals.”