WORCESTER Rugby Club have boosted their artillery with two young guns.

Matt Evans and Duncan Murray have both made the switch from Gloucester as Worcester's director of rugby John Brain looks to freshen up the Sixways squad.

South African-born back row forward Evans, is at Gloucester's Hartpury College at present, but according to Brain will be a contender for Worcester's first team squad next season. The 20-year-old has played for Gloucester's under-21s and caught the eye of Brain a number of times last season.

Centre Murray has also made the move from Gloucester after almost finding himself at Sixways last season. The 21-year-old 16st back was due to come to Worcester last year when David Officer was ruled out for three months. The 6ft, 2in youngster, however, was also injured at the time.

Meanwhile, Brain has reacted positively to Worcester's National One fixtures for next season. Worcester face a testing start to their 2003-04 league campaign with the opening home clash against promotion rivals Orrell on September 13 after the first game on September 6 at Otley.

Away trips to Exeter (March 20) and Orrell (January 17) will test their promotion credentials while the visit to newly promoted Penzance is the final away game of the season on April 17.

"The original draft of the fixture list gave us a string of home games at the start of the season which we rejected," said Brain. "It would have given us a very difficult run-in.

"I think we're fairly happy with it now. There are always aspects that could be better. I think that Orrell first up at home gives us a fantastic opportunity to get off the mark at Sixways."

Meanwhile, Worcester's academy players were honoured yesterday at an awards dinner. Chris Hallam was voted player of the year, while the most improved player accolade went to Darren Griffiths. Players' player of the year was James Percival who was included in the first team's 22 last season on a number of occasions.

Next season's fixtures are:

SEPTEMEBER: 6 Otley Away; 13 Orrell Home; 20 Bedford Away; 27 London Welsh Home.

OCTOBER: 4 Manchester Away; 11 Wakefield Home; 18 Third Rnd Power Gen Cup Away; 25 Henley Home.

NOVEMBER: 1 Plymouth Away; 8 Powergen Cup; 15 Exeter Home; 22 Bristol Away; 29 Fifth Round Powergen Cup.

DECEMBER: 6 Penzance Home; 13 Birmingham / Solihull Away; 20 Sixth Round Powergen Cup; 27 Coventry Home.

JANUARY: 10 Otley Home; 17 Orrell Away; 24 Bedford Home; 31 London Welsh Away.

FEBRUARY: 07 Manchester Home; 14 Wakefield Away; 21 Six Nations; 28 Henley Away.

MARCH: 6 Six Nations; 13 Plymouth Home; 20 Exeter Away; 27 Six Nations Away.

APRIL: 3 Bristol Home; 10 Coventry Away; 17 Penzance Away; 24 Birmingham Home.