Worcester have begun talks with Chris Horsman over a new contract after recent conjecture linking the tighthead prop with a move away from Sixways.
Horsman is in his second season of a three-year contract with Worcester and has about 18 months left on his existing deal but with clubs, particularly from the Celtic League, casting an avaricious eye in his direction, Worcester director of rugby John Brain has moved to secure the long-term future of one of his few internationals.
Brain said yesterday: "I am in dialogue with Chris's agent about extending his deal beyond 2007 and the conversations we have had have been quite positive.
"He is a highly sought-after player but he is still contracted to us - there are quite a lot of people who do not realise that. It is sensible for us to begin discussions about his future.
"There is some speculation about his future and there is interest from other clubs - I understand that good players attract that interest."
The former Celtic Warrior is one of the best. Brain rates the tighthead in the top three in his position in the Premiership and has been impressed with how he has gone from unknown quantity to Wales international in just over a year. "Cobus Visagie, Chris Horsman and Julian White, in my opinion, are the three best tightheads in the league," Brain said.
"He was basically an unknown before he came here; since then, he has got international recognition here and a lot of other recognition. He lives in Bristol and he and his wife are very happy here. We have given him the opportunity to play in the English Premiership and have got a lot to offer."
Although Brain rejected the suggestion that Worcester's success in the Premier-ship put the club ahead of challengers for Horsman's services, he added: "Some players would prefer to play in the Celtic League because, most of the time, it is an easy life. There is no threat of relegation, you get your international Saturdays off - for those looking for that sort of thing, it is not a bad job.
"But for those that are ambitious and want to test themselves at the highest level and against the best players, the Premiership offers them that pressure-cooker environment that is good preparation for international rugby."
After continued trouble with his ankle, Horsman has been labouring with the injury for most of the season and yesterday saw a specialist to determine if surgery is required.
