7/12/02 - Walsh wanted

The Sixways director of rugby will sit down with the Australian in the next month to dis-cuss the fly half's immediate future after a dramatic impact since his arrival.

Walsh has taken Worcester by storm since he came to the club back in October to cover for James Brown's back injury.

The 23-year-old, however, could leave at the end of January if he re-ceives a Super 12 offer because of an option in his short-term contract.

Brain, though, has revealed that the deal ac-tually runs until the end of April and will not expire in January as first thought. The former Queensland star has an option to leave for a Southern Hemisphere club at the end of January if an offer is received but he cannot join any Northern Hemisphere outfit this season.

"We've already made it known to Tim that we would like him to stay until the end of the season," said Brain. "Neither party has to make any decision until January.

"The only other option Tim has is if he is offered a Super 12 contract. He wants to play international rugby and for Australia and therefore he has to play Super 12 rugby.

"If that offer came in, that would be the only thing that could take him away from us. Other than that, I think he is happy with life at Worcester. There is no question that any other club in the Northern Hemisphere can take him so the only question remains as to whether a Super 12 club comes in for him.

"We have the option in the contract to keep him here until the end of April. Nobody in this part of the world can touch him until after that time because we have that in the con-tract."

Brain has been delighted with Walsh since his Sixways arrival. And he is excited by the half back partnership he is forming with skipper Werner Swanepoel.

"They're not too shabby are they?," said Brain. "Werner's energy and enthusiasm is a big part of it.

"They are both very good players but Smiley gives that bit extra with those qualities. He is a leader and the two of them seem to be hitting it off."