Rugby Union
Redman hopeful Mullan and Kvesic will stay

Buy photos » Matt Kvesic has been named in the England Saxons squad. Picture by George Thorne.

ASSISTANT head coach Nigel Redman is hopeful prize assets Matt Mullan and Matt Kvesic will remain at Worcester Warriors.

The talented duo, whose contracts expire at the end of the season, are now free to talk to other clubs as they make their decision on whether to stay at Sixways or continue their careers elsewhere.

But Redman insisted the Worcester academy graduates had big futures at Warriors as the club looks to build a squad strong enough to fulfil their lofty ambitions.

"I would love them to stay here because I think we are moving in the right direction," he said.

"I believe they can be part of something very special here and be the foundations of it having had the background of coming through the academy."

"They can be the cultural architects as well as the playing architects. It is important to have players with an emotional attachment to the club as they can have a positive affect on the new players coming in."

"I think the emotional and cultural side will really help the playing and performance side and we need people like Mullan and Kvesic to be at the heart of it."

Forwards coach Redman was also delighted to see flanker Kvesic named along with prop Mullan in the England Saxons squad on Wednesday.

"I think this is a stepping stone for Kvesic," Redman added.

"He is 20 years old and has been playing exceptionally well. I saw Matt playing for England u20s when they got to the World Cup final and he was one of the best players in the world in his age group and now he is in the Saxons squad. But it is important for him that he continues to deliver week in week out."

Warriors return to Amlin Challenge Cup action tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) when they travel to Italian outfit Femi-CZ Vea Rovigo.

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