Bedford Blues’ forwards coach, Tom Cruse will leave the club at the end of the Championship season after just a single campaign to take up an opportunity with newly reinstated, Worcester Warriors.
Cruse, who joined from Northampton Saints for the beginning of the 2024/25 season, will become Worcester’s assistant coach as the Warriors continue to build their squad and backroom team from scratch after it was announced they would be included in next season’s ‘Champ Rugby’.
Read: Bedford Blues to face Worcester Warriors as Championship increases to 14 teams
Cruse has been credited with being “crucial” to Mike Rayer’s coaching team this season, as the Blues near their best finish to a Championship season since 2011/12, amidst a noticeable improvement in the team’s work up front.
The former Saints, Wasps and London Irish hooker, who retired from playing in order to take up his first full-time coaching position at Goldington Road, called his time at the Blues, “an absolute privilege”.
“I will leave Bedford with lots of fond memories after an incredibly enjoyable year”, said Cruse.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to coach this group of players and play a small part in what has been a great year for the club.
“I just want to say a particular thanks to Mike for his guidance and support this season. Goldington Road is a special place, and I’ve felt very welcome during my time here.
“With two games remaining, there’s still work to be done. It’s extremely important we finish strongly and enjoy our last two weeks as a group.”
One of those games is against Chinnor; a side Cruse helped get promoted to the Championship in his first ever coaching role alongside his final full season at Franklin’s Gardens before his last game at Caldy on 31 May.
A deciding factor in Cruse’s decision to leave is to be closer to home, and he joins the coaching team under Matt Everard at the Sixways, with the former Leicester Tigers defence coach announced as the club’s new head last week.
Worcester Warriors also have the monumental task of attracting a whole new squad, beginning with the signing of back row forward, Matt Kvesic who has been capped four times for England.
“It goes without saying that we are disappointed to lose Tom after just one season, he’s been absolutely brilliant around the playing group and club itself”, added Blues’ Director of Rugby, Rayer.
“Family is very important to him, and we fully understand his decision at this time in his coaching journey. He’s a top, top lad, and I’m sure he will be very successful wherever this journey takes him”.
Bedford Blues have just two games remaining this season – against Chinnor and Caldy – and will be aiming for 17 wins from 22 Championship clashes this season with two more victories ahead of the competition’s revamp for 2025/26.
English rugby’s second tier – renamed ‘Champ Rugby’ – will include 14 teams, up from this season’s 12, with Worcester Warriors reinstated into the Championship despite going into administration in 2022 alongside National League One champions, Richmond.
Read: RFU announce revamped ‘Champ Rugby’ competition but promotion criteria remain
