WORCESTER director of rug-by Mike Ruddock has backed his young guns to step up to the plate while the club's World Cup stars are engaged in national service.

Ruddock could lose up to 11 members of his squad when the tournament gets underway in September but he won't be frightened to pitch his talented crop of youngsters into battle.

He has been impressed by the club's academy players and invited a number of them to train with the first-team squad over the last two weeks.

Full-back Chris Pennell is one of those to catch the eye and Ruddock has tipped the 20-year-old to have a big impact after recovering from the freak injury that wrecked the whole of last season for him.

"We have got quite a few academy players training with us," said Ruddock. "Chris Pennell has had to recover from a very serious knee injury. He looks very sharp and my first impression is he could make a challenge to be part of the first-team squad.

"Other academy players like Charlie Fellows on the wing and Tom Wood in the back row can start pushing some of the first-team players.

"A lot of water will pass under the bridge before we play our trial games but I would have thought they would have a fair chance."

Warriors have added six international stars to their ranks for the new season but only one of those players - prop Shaun Ruwers - is likely to be in Worcester when the World Cup starts.

Aleki Lutui and Tevita Tau-moepeau are almost certain to be involved in the tournament for Tonga while Chris Hors-man is wanted by Wales.

Dale Rasmussen (Samoa) and Aisea Havili (Tonga) have outside chances of featuring but Pat Sanderson's England prospects look increasingly gloomy.

Ruddock will have to do without one back-rower as Netani Talei will be in action for Fiji while Drew Hickey and Kai Horstmann are both in rehab following summer operations.

But the former Wales coach believes compatriot Craig Everett could be one of the main beneficiaries.

"Craig Everett has showed up well and there's a chance for someone like Craig to get a run in pre-season games," said Ruddock.

Hickey (elbow) and Kai Horstmann (shoulder) are both making good progress while scrum-half Matt Powell (ankle) and Ruwers (neck) are expected to be fit for the start of the new season.

There is also encouraging news regarding lock Tim Collier, who underwent knee reconstruction and was expected to miss the rest of 2007.

Ruddock said: "Tim Collier is recovering really well and, while I don't want to put any pressure on him, he could be ahead of schedule."