IN the land of clichs, Worcester Rugby Club are often referred to as "one of the most ambitious clubs" in the game.

Obviously they are, as hundreds of others are throughout the country.

However, in the next couple of months they face a test of that ambition.

They must not only convince themselves that they will gain promotion next season but also, more importantly, be able to persuade a number of up and coming players that their futures lie at Sixways.

The biggest name among the crop of talent is 19-year-old Andy Higgins. The centre was brought into Clive Woodward's squad last season for training and is considered by many as the pick of Worcester's English contingent. His campaign has been cut short this year due to a hand injury but will be bursting to play next season. Quite where he will be though is another matter.

He has regularly expressed, quite naturally, his wish to play in the Premiership whether it be with Worcester or someone else. And with the player out of contract in the summer, it will take all of Cecil Duckworth's powers of persuasion to keep him at the club who gave him his platform.

Certainly for director of coaching, Adrian Skeggs his loss would be devastating. The Australian has hardly seen Higgins on the pitch since his summer arrival and admits the former England under-21 star would be like a new signing next season.

"We want to keep Andy because of his potential. He is a future England player and a vital asset to Worcester but, at the same time, he is very ambitious," said Skeggs.

The number of Premiership clubs all vying for his signature are impressive. Linked to Leicester, Saracens and Bristol, the lure of the top flight looks a difficult one for the young man to turn down.

However, the key to him staying has always been whether or not Worcester are ready to make the jump to the Premiership. They almost certainly will not be promoted this season and it is not a foregone conclusion that they will be top dogs next time around, especially with Rotherham to contend with.

The other side of the argument is that Higgins knows he is guaranteed first team rugby at Sixways next season if he stays on. Up against all the egos and star players from the Premiership, Higgins will be considered "one for the future" and nurtured rather than being put in from the start.

At least at Worcester, his development will continue at a considerable rate on a platform which will still be recognised.

The concern around Sixways though is that the platform just will not be big enough for him to become thought of in England circles again.

Higgins wants to part of the new England at a time which could just be the most successful era ever for the national side. Crucially, though, he has already been told he will not be considered for the full side while he is playing outside of the Premiership.

Skeggs added: "It's all out of my hands at the moment. Andy is very set in his ways and wants to play in the Premiership. I don't blame him because I think he has the talent. However I still think he has some way to go yet.

"He's been approached by heaps of clubs and people that want to pay him bucket loads of cash. I think, at present, we are struggling to keep hold of him if I'm honest."

He added: "He desperately wants to play for England and he has been given the advice that he cannot do that playing First Division rugby.

"Andy will be a vital asset to us next season not only because of his talent but also because he will be fresh after playing only a handful of games.

"It would be a massive blow for the club if he left. Not just for next season but for the future of the club as well."

Skeggs also admitted that his star Tongan full-back Sateki Tuipulotu could also be snapped up if they cannot convince him of Worcester's ambition.

"I think with his goalkicking and his tries, we could be struggling to hold on to him as well after the season he has had."

If Worcester are to continue their development as a potential giant in the game of rugby, it is important that players such as Tuipulotu stay. However, it is absolutely vital that Higgins stays put. Not only because of his talent but also because he is an up and coming English player. The club will always, with a foreign coach at the helm, have the sniping accusations that they have no desire to encourage English talent.

Higgins' signature along with a new contract for Scott Barrow will show the rugby world that Worcester are still banging on that Premiership door and at the same time are creating a viable base for English rugby.

Any other outcome will provide the club with a massive headache and expose the true consequences of that fateful day at Headingley.