HOOKER Andre Van Niekerk is one of Worcester's most improved players according to Andy Keast.

The South African arrived at Sixways in August with a big reputation, but struggled in the opening months to budge Ben Daly from the number two shirt.

After the Australian's bicep injury kept him out for three months, however, Van Niekerk has taken his chance and hasn't looked back. He is now a major component of a pack which is now being praised week in, week out.

"He's improved massively," said Keast, Worcester's head coach.

"Coming from an environment like South Africa, he would not have been coached technically in the scrum and line-out area like he has been since he came to Worcester.

"I can speak from experience on that following my time with Natal. We thought he would prosper under the coaching and certainly, he's become a better player.

"Andre, I'm sure, would be the first to admit that."

Another South African who also took time to settle is Brad MacLeod-Henderson but the number eight has finally begun to hold down a starting place since his summer move from Rotherham.

"Brad's still got strides to make," added Keast. "He hasn't been in that pack as long as most. He's come through very strong in the past couple of weeks though. He's an athlete and a very, very talented player.

"He's a thinker and that certainly adds to the make-up of the pack. He has everything you need in a modern-day number eight but there are still areas of his game that we need to work on."

Meanwhile, Twickenham disciplinary chief Jeff Blackett has made it clear that the Rugby Football Union believes in promotion and relegation.

Speculation was rife last weekend of potential financial sweeteners offered to National One clubs in exchange for this season's champions to stay down.

Blackett, however, has warned Premiership clubs not to try any such deal.

"Any attempt to set up a fund would be prejudicial to the interests of the game and would contravene the RFU's regulations," he said.