THERE surely could not have been more modest surroundings in which to begin a fresh chapter in your career than Sharmans Cross Road.

That, however, will have served as a stark reminder for coach Andy Keast that there is much to do at Worcester Rugby Club if a trip to Birmingham & Solihull is to be avoided next season.

The 39-year-old backs specialist took charge of his first game in the 30-13 success but there were enough aberrations in that performance for him to realise the size of his task if there is to be promotion come April.

It is, of course, utterly unfair to prepare for instant results from the former British Lions coach but his circumstances dictate those rather pie-in-the-sky expectations. Keast, undaunted by the expectancy, is intending to satisfy those hopes armed with an undying belief in honesty.

"I'm a straight talker," he said before Saturday's Sixways clash with Henley Hawks. "I enjoy the players. To me, it's the players' game and I like spending time with them. At the same time, though, I believe in honesty. I believe in players giving an honest opinion of themselves and performing honestly.

"That is what they will get from me. I give them my honest views, if sometimes they are harsh then unfortunately that is the reality and that is all we can work with.

"Coaches have to earn respect among the players. Players have to earn respect from the coaches and I see it as a family in which you grow together."

The first 'family' meeting of note came at Birmingham on Saturday when Keast was faced with a potentially calamitous situation as Worcester trailed 8-3 at half time. After an abject first half display, the former policeman went about laying down the law to his new troops in the dressing room, an action which, ultimately, inspired victory.

It was the first step in what could yet be a turnaround in Worcester's fortunes this season, a clear signal that the squad are prepared to work with the new man.

"All my career I've worked with international players and to me, it is the same at Worcester. You just have to understand that you can work with the experience that they have. You need to pull that out and use it.

"My beliefs in rugby are quite clear but I also have a great belief in development - every day. If something comes up, you have to take it on board and see if it can be useful. You can learn something new everyday.

"If a player comes to me and questions something I will listen and ask them why. If they can come up with intelligent rugby reasons why, then I will change things.

"We always say to the players that the office is wide open and we want to chat about different aspects of our game. It's all about ownership, the players have to have ownership and take responsibility. As coaches, we are there to help them."

Gloucester's players certainly gave Keast a ringing endorsement after his six month stay last year, to the point of almost revolt against the 'Ancien Regime' at Kingsholm.

A players meeting in August seemed to add weight to suggestions of a players' uprising against the French management in support of Keast. However, the expected rebellion never took place and instead it was Keast who left for pastures new.

"I didn't want to stay around after the director of rugby (Philippe Saint-Andre) decided to come out of his office and on to the training field. I was not prepared to be in meetings which were conducted in French when I'm English and I can't speak the language. I've got no gripes about it though.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, working with players and the club. Philippe has his management structure and he has to be happy with it, like I do here."

Five months on and Keast finds himself at the helm of another revolution even if Worcester's long awaited storming of English Rugby's Bastille is yet again in danger of retreat.

But if there was any ambiguity about the challenge ahead, the tumbril turning out of Sixways as Keast signed in will have sharpened the focus somewhat.