HARDMAN Richard Bates is desperate to repay the faith shown in him by Andy Keast by firing Worcester Rugby Club into the Premiership.

The 30-year-old South African flanker, snapped up from London Irish by the Sixways assistant coach, has spent the past five months building up his shoulder after a January operation.

And the former Natal star is grateful for Worcester's belief in him at a time when he needed it most.

"I've been friends with Andy Keast for a while and when I got injured he spoke to me and encouraged me," said Bates.

"It's always reassuring when people still think you can do a job for them. I had other options but I decided to come to Worcester because of the belief shown in me. It's very important for any player for coaches to have that belief in you.

"Obviously you have to believe in yourself but that also comes through other people a lot of the time. Especially when you have been injured - you need a little bit of encouragement."

Bates, nicknamed 'nutter' by his former London Irish team-mates, looks to be the perfect signing for a tough National One campaign.

And far from being wary of the physical challenge, it is something he is relishing.

"The glamour isn't quite there in this league, I know that," he said. "It is a heavy grind and you need players to grind it out when you are down in the mud at Exeter.

"At Worcester, we have fantastic facilities and a great pitch but I'm quite aware that that's not the case at other clubs in this league.

"It's a challenge and one I'm really looking forward to. After not playing for a while, I'm raring to go.

"It's nice that there are guys I already know here at Worcester. Four of us have come from London Irish and I actually went to school with Chris Pearson.

"There is a good atmosphere among the players despite it only being the first week of pre-season training."