Worcester Warriors head coach 'very proud' of the team following Champ Rugby play-off final success
Worcester Warriors beat Bedford Blues 27-14 in Sunday's Champ Rugby play-off final at Bedford's ground
The head coach of Worcester Warriors has said their Champ Rugby play-off final win really mattered a lot to them as a group and the supporters.
Warriors beat Bedford Blues 27-14 at their opposition's ground in Sunday's match to be crowned champions.
It also meant they rounded off their first season back playing since they entered administration in 2022 in style.
Matt Everard, who was appointed head coach last May after the club announced it's return to elite level rugby and tasked with forming a completely new squad together for the season, described the result as a great moment for the club.
"It feels very special," he said.
"I'm very, very proud of everyone involved, the group, the players, the team, the fans, the background staff.
"It's been really special to reflect on the last couple of days and has it sunk in yet? I don't know, I think my cheeks are still sore from smiling, but the overwhelming feeling would be that I'm very proud of the group."
The side finished 4th in the league during the normal season winning 15 games and losing 11 of their 26 matches.
They then went on to beat Chinnor at home in the play-off quarter-finals before securing a dramatic semi-final win 34-29 away to Ealing Trailfinders with a last minute try to end their full season's unbeaten run.
Everard also praised the fans for all their support through their first season back and how key it was at times.
He said: "We've been incredibly well supported at Sixways (home) but also the away travel from down to Cornwall to up to Caldy, it has just been this constant feeling of support behind us and momentum from the fans.
"I think they're a unique fan group, I think they've been through something that no one else has been through, they've lost their love and then it came back again.
"So the turmoil and the heartache and probably the stress of that, they're very, very unique in that sense, and I think that there's a pretty special connection between the playing group and the fans."
The team will remain in the Champ Rugby division after promotion or relegation from the Premiership was not up for grabs, as from the 2026/27 season a criteria-based expansion and demotion model is being introduced between the two leagues to replace the normal process.
It means to gain promotion to the Premiership, clubs would have to apply and meet the necessary criteria for it, as it looks to expand from 10 teams to 12 for the 2029/30 campaign.