WORCESTER Warriors' young guns will be aided by Zurich 'A' games next season according to head coach Andy Keast.

The Sixways academy set-up has already seen a number of youngsters come through the ranks such as James Percival and Gary Trueman. However, with a new crop of talent emerging, Worcester's first taste of the Premiership offers new possibilities for the likes of Tom Warren, Martin Freeman and Uche O'Duza.

Worcester have been drawn in the northern section of the Zurich 'A' competition alongside Sale, Newcastle, Northampton, Leicester and Leeds. The southern league will see Bath, Gloucester, Harlequins, Wasps, London Irish and Saracens competing in the reserve team competition.

Keast has been impressed by a number of the youngsters coming out of the Sixways set-up and believes that the new reserve team league can only help their development.

"I think it's very important for our academy players," said Keast. "What we will look to do is give our academy players as much experience as we can and this is invaluable for them.

"Billy McGinty (Worcester's new analytical coach) will be taking charge of our 'A' team and we will work closely with him on the make-up of the side throughout the season.

"With players such as Uche, we would be looking to play him in those games, see how he gets on, and that will give us a good indication as to where he is in his development. I've been very impressed with him and, when he is playing against the likes of Sale and Leicester, you will see just how he is coming along.

"The games also give us a chance to look at players who are not playing in the Premiership matches over the weekend. Be it players who have just not been involved in the 22 or ones that have been on the bench and not been used, it's a good chance for them to impress."

Full fixture list with all home games kicking off at 7.30pm: 6/9 - Sale (A), 13/9 - Leicester (H), 27/9 - Leeds (H), 4/10 - Newcastle (A), 18/10 - Northampton (A), 8/11 - Sale (H), 15/11 - Leicester (A), 29/11 - Newcastle (H), 24/1 - Northampton (H), 28/3 - Leeds (A).

Meanwhile, Worcester have made some changes to their Premiership schedule at Sixways next season. The Warriors will take on Cardiff in their opening pre-season encounter on Friday, August 13 at Sixways (7.30pm) before hosting the Leinster game on August 28 with a 2pm kick-off.

Updated Sixways Premier-ship/European fixture list: 5/9 - Newcastle (3.30pm), 18/9 - Bath (2pm), 2/10 - NEC Harlequins (2pm), 16/10 - Gloucester (2pm), 23/10 - Brive (2pm) (European Challenge Cup), 13/11 - Leicester (12.30pm), 27/11 - Wasps (12.30pm), 1/1 - London Irish (2pm), 5/2 - Leeds (2pm), 26/2/ - Sale (2pm), 26/3 - Saracens (2pm), 30/4 - Northampton (3pm).