ANDY Keast has hinted he will quit Worcester Rugby Club if promotion cannot be won next season.

The Sixways coach, whose contract is up in June admitted, after Worcester's devastating 21-9 defeat to Rotherham on Saturday, that he would consider leaving if there is nothing to play for next year.

The Rugby Football Union has yet to make a final decision on next season's promotion and relegation status but it looks unlikely at present that there will still be a one-up, one-down system.

The former British Lions man has also warned that if big time players such as Ben Hinshelwood leave the club, he will be hot on their heels.

"If there is nothing to play for, it looks very strong that I won't be here next season," said Keast.

"If players such as Ben Hinshelwood leave the club, because they want to play Premiership rugby, then what's the difference between them and me?

"People will say they understand players like Ben Hinshelwood leaving. So, if that's the case, why should Andy Keast and John Brain coach where there is no chance of promotion?

"We've turned this club around, we've put blood, sweat and tears into it. It has been fantastic, a great story. Like all stories, though, you just hope there is a fairytale ending. Sadly, it doesn't look like it's the case."

Keast was proud of his side's efforts in the promotion showdown at Sixways and believed the energy shown by the players proved how much they wanted the National League Division One title.

"It was a proper rugby match between two teams that wanted something very badly," he added.

"The players gave absolutely everything they had on the day and I'm not sure previous Worcester teams have when it came to the crunch match. The frustrating part for me is that we played all the rugby and could not make the break-through.

"The players have nothing to be ashamed of, they gave it 200 per cent. They worked and worked.

"You cannot criticise the commitment but some of the basics let us down and ultimately cost us the game," added Keast.