IT might not make pleasant viewing at the moment but the video of Saturday's defeat at Gloucester should be kept in a safe place at Sixways.

No doubt, all the Worcester players and coaches have been studying the footage in an attempt to gain an edge for tomorrow's re-match. And they will notice that a lot of the damage was inflicted by players barely out of school.

Anthony Allen, the Cherry and Whites twinkle-toed inside-centre, combined skill with a maturity that belied his 19 years of age.

Another 19-year-old, fly-half, Ryan Lamb, is currently keeping Ludovic Mercier, one of the domestic game's most successful goal-kickers, out of the side.

Also among the starters was 20-year-old full-back Olly Morgan, while try-scorers Mark Foster (22) and James Simpson-Daniel (23) are not exactly veterans.

Dean Ryan, Gloucester's progressive head coach, has not been afraid to blood young players in an attempt to bridge the gulf between his club and the big three -- Leicester, Sale and Wasps.

With Worcester's hopes of finishing in the top four extinguished, they were able to field their own teenage talent Uche Oduoza and comparative youngsters like Ed O'Donoghue, Tom Harding and Gary Trueman.

But when the stakes are high, as they are for much of the season, teams like Worcester will revert to type and turn to experience.

They can hardly be blamed for doing so. Because they are not founder members of the Premiership, Warriors are not competing on a level financial playing field with the established clubs.

While Gloucester deserve credit for throwing in the kids, they can also count World Cup winners like Mike Tindall and Phil Vickery among their ranks.

Leeds have shown plenty of faith in youngsters like Jordan Crane and Danny Care this campaign and have been rewarded for their troubles with relegation.

If clubs fighting for their lives have a choice between developing young talent or keeping their place among the elite then there is only going to be one option.

That is the strongest case put forward for ring-fencing the Premiership.

But it is a problem that only afflicts those teams at the wrong end of the table. The much-maligned play-off system, imported from the Southern Hemisphere, has ensured that those clubs competing for the top honours can still bring through new players.

Wasps, under the tutelage of New Zealnd coach Warren Gatland, became past masters of a system that has seen them integrate the likes of John Hart, Tom Rees and James Haskell into the squad and win championships at the same time.

A similar policy is being pursued by current supremo Ian McGeechan and he has already unearthed potential gems in Garth Chamberlain and Daniel Cipriani.

In the current climate, clubs have to be successful before they can be brave.

Gloucester may have been forced into their policy by a mini injury crisis but they have shown that it is possible to win games with inexperienced players.

With Sixways now boasting some of the best academy facilities in the country, it will be interesting to see Warriors follow that blueprint in years to come.

But first they have the small matter of beating local rivals Gloucester to attend to!