DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold admits he has been scouring South Africa to find talented young players looking to ply their trade in the Aviva Premiership.

Worcester Warriors’ boss returned to Sixways this week after spending more than a month with his family back home in his native country.

But Gold, who will leave Warriors to become USA’s new head coach next summer, insisted he had been hard at work making sure the club were in a “healthy state”.

As well as holding “positive talks” over retaining and recruiting players, he revealed he had been “forming alliances” with provincial teams in South Africa as he looks to create a pathway for young guns to come to Warriors.

“One of the things I have been doing back home is travelling quite a lot as I have been looking at opportunities for young players to join the club,” Gold said.

“I have been looking at guys who want to come and study in this country and want a chance to play Premiership rugby.

“I have been forming alliances with certain provinces and individuals back in South Africa so guys who do have a passport have an opportunity to come here as there is a big demand.

“For various reasons both politically and rugby-wise people are looking to come and play abroad.”

Gold stressed he had also kept constantly in contact with his backroom staff and playing squad at Warriors during his time away.

A number of players are out of contract at the end of this season and Gold said he was keen to get talks underway.

“I’ve been staying in touch with the guys every day, Skype calling in and holding lengthy conversations with everybody,” he said.

“Obviously it’s not just about the week-in and week-out (work ahead to games), it’s about talking to the players and seeing where we are going in terms of our planning and preparations going forward.

“I am happy to say that’s looking in a healthy state.

“We have had positive talks around players.

“This is the time of year to have those conversation with players and they have gone pretty well so far.”