Matt Kvesic Targets Play-Offs After Emotional Return to Worcester Warriors
Matt Kvesic has made a heartfelt return to his home club Worcester Warriors following their three-year hiatus, with his sights firmly set on securing a place in the Elior Champ Rugby play-offs. The 33-year-old back rower, who earned four caps for England, began his professional career at Sixways, helping the Warriors win promotion in the 2010/11 season as a teenager.
A Career Journey Full of Twists and Turns
After successful stints at Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs, Kvesic returned to Worcester in 2020, only for his second spell to end abruptly two years later when the club fell into administration in September 2022. He was part of a squad that included current England internationals Fin Smith, Ollie Lawrence, Seb Atkinson, and Ted Hill, all of whom were disbanded during the financial crisis.
Kvesic finished the 2022/23 campaign in Italy with Zebre before returning to England to play for Coventry for the next two seasons. Unsure if he would ever get a third chance to play for Worcester, he did not hesitate when head coach Matt Everard, a former England U20 teammate, reached out to him.
Embracing the Opportunity and Family Life
Kvesic said: "I was always very keen with the opportunity if it came back, whether it was going to be Championship or Premiership. Whatever that looked like, it was always something I was going to be keen to get involved with."
He added that while he enjoyed his time at Coventry, the chance to return to Worcester was too good to pass up. "I've really enjoyed being back, not just at the club but also living back at home and getting to spend a bit more time with the family," Kvesic noted, reflecting on the challenges of being away from his family during his stint in Italy.
Rebuilding the Squad and Fostering Team Spirit
Kvesic was the first signing announced by the Warriors after their return to Elior Champ Rugby, having been in touch with CEO Stephen Vaughan and chairman Chris Holland during the club's revival. With an entirely new squad built from scratch, head coach Matt Everard focused on creating a tight-knit group from the start.
Kvesic explained: "In our first day, we were in on a Friday and it ended being a bit of a team social where we were getting to know each other, having a few beers at the club, a barbecue. We needed to become a tight-knit group as quickly as possible, and I think that's probably shown through the season."
Overcoming Challenges and Aiming for Success
Despite boasting experienced players like Billy Twelvetrees, Lloyd Williams, Matt Rogerson, Josh Bassett, and Fraser Balmain, the team took time to gel, suffering four consecutive defeats in December and January. However, a narrow 34-33 loss to runaway leaders Ealing Trailfinders boosted confidence, and before the current break, they won four out of five games, sitting third in the table.
With bottom side Cambridge set to visit Sixways this weekend, Kvesic is optimistic about their play-off chances. He stated: "We're trying to improve on where we have been falling short in some areas of our game, and if we can do that, we should be in good stead for the play-offs."
Kvesic's return has not only reignited his passion for rugby but also brought a sense of fulfillment as he balances his career with family life, making this homecoming a pivotal moment in his journey.
