19/5/03 - Jenner decides to quit Sixways

The big number eight will sign for Birmingham & Solihull this week after deciding his future lies away from Worcester.

The 31-year-old was not expected to be offered a full time contract by Worcester when negotiations got underway this week and has therefore decided to make the break.

Jenner found himself the odd man out last season and, after failing to see eye-to-eye with coach Andy Keast towards the end of the campaign, he did not make the 22-man squad for the National One title showdown with Rotherham at Sixways.

The former Newcastle Falcons player will be the latest to make the journey from Sixways to Sharmans Cross Road following in the footsteps of Nick Baxter and Nathan Carter. And he is the latest departure from Worcester after Martin Morgan and Tim Walsh left the club.

"Jim was a favourite with a certain section of the crowd and we wish him all the best," said director of rugby John Brain.

"The fact that he was liked by the supporters cannot come into the equation because we have to judge a player on his performance, nothing else.

"I think Jim was very disappointed not to be involved at the end of the season but then so is everybody when they don't play."

Brain and Keast will this week begin the process of consolidating the present Worcester squad while identifying players they want to bring in for next season.

The top priority will be to keep star players such as Ben Hinshelwood at the club, while Brain will be keen to recruit a new hooker following the news of Chris Pearson's departure.

The South African has returned to Johannesburg to run the family's estate agency business because of his father's illness.

Pearson has, however, informed the club that his return will be a permanent one rather than a temporary trip.

"Chris has said that running the family business will probably prevent him from being involved in rugby," added Brain.

"Obviously we need to address his departure because he is out of the picture now for next season."