Skysports.com assesses Worcester's chances for 2008-9, with the arrival of Chris Latham exciting the Sixways faithful.
Battle ahead for Warriors to stay clear of trouble
The arrival of super-star full-back Chris Latham at the Warriors may be one of the signings of the summer - however Worcester still face a battle to avoid the bottom reaches of the Premiership.
There is a real feeling that the 32-year-old Latham can provide the spark to see Worcester climb away from the lower reaches of the division - and it certainly would be refreshing for the Sixways club not to be mentioned in a relegation scrap.
However, it is difficult to see being able to avoid being dragged into mire at the wrong end of the table.
There is no doubt they have some quality at the club. Latham, undoubtedly is the starman, Miles Benjamin is one of the up-and-coming stars on the Premiership, while the Warriors can call on the likes of Chris Horsman, Greg Rawlinson, Kai Horstmann, Dale Rasmussen, Loki Crichton and Pat Sanderson.
They have also added the experience of Harlequins centre Hal Luscombe to their backline, while Welsh fly-half Matt Jones arrives with high hopes having put his injury problems behind him.
However it is the loss of several key players that could count against the Warriors. Shane Drahm has been the side's stand-out performing since signing from Northampton, but he has opted to swap Sixways for Japan.
Retired
Tinus Delpot and Drew Hickey have also opted to head to Japan, while Gavin Quinnell has headed to Italy.
Tony Windo has retired, although he will remain on the Warriors coaching staff, while James Brown has also hung up his boots.
Mike Ruddock remains one of the best coaches in the business, and Worcester will need all his nous and guile to see them through.
However if the Warriors are to avoid looking over their shoulders at the bottom of the table they will need to find a way to be more consistent.
They showed their class with victories over the likes of Gloucester and Leicester, but failed to put together more than two wins in a row - and were beaten and held to a draw by relegated Leeds.
Should Warriors find that consistency and Latham and Jones can remain injury-free then there is every chance Worcester better than record of an eighth-placed finish. However they are more likely to find themselves in a battle at the bottom.
