EARL Va'a is the latest big name star to be axed in Worcester Rugby Club's summer clear-out.

The 29-year-old, who scored in Samoa's 36-27 win over Fiji in the Pacific Rim Championship clash on Saturday, has been told he is not needed for Worcester's promotion bid next season.

Va'a was seen as a central figure by former coach Adrian Skeggs last year but indifferent form in some of Worcester's lower-key matches showed up inconsistencies in his game.

The fly-half, who lost his first-team place to Tony Yapp towards the end of the season, was given a chance to rescue his Sixways career in the National One showdown at Leeds in April, but his erratic display eventually made up the minds of Geoff Cooke and Cecil Duckworth.

Va'a had a year to run on his contract but, with Worcester determined to finally win access to the Zurich Premiership next season, a settlement on his contract was hammered out to enable him to return home.

"Earl did not fit into our plans for next season," said club owner Duckworth.

"We are looking for a different approach with a view to winning promotion and then continuing our progress in the Premiership.

"We are endeavouring to bring in two types of players. Those with recent top-level experience and youngsters to ensure that we can carry on our development as a club."

The departure of Va'a will be a shock to many and leaves Yapp as the only established outside-half at the club.

However, Worcester are already in talks with a number of stand-offs and hope to tie up deals before the players return for pre-season training next month.

Another high profile name to leave Sixways is Cameron Mather who endured a disappointing season after his September arrival from Edinburgh Reivers.

The flanker, who was an established Scottish international a year ago, was not offered a new deal after failing to carve out a regular first-team spot last season.

One player who has pledged his future to Worcester is Ricky Pellow. The former Bath man is the only scrum-half from last year's squad to stay at Sixways after the departures of Chris Simpson-Daniel and Richard Jarman.

Pellow, though, will now have the small matter of new signings Elton Moncrieff and Richard Smith blocking his way to the number nine jersey in the coming campaign.