FORMER Worcester Warriors coach Simon McGarry-Cross has backed Birmingham Moseley duo Lewis Bean and James Williams to earn full-time contracts at Sixways.

Lock Bean and centre Williams have been training with Warriors since pre-season and made their debuts in the Premiership Cup defeat at Saracens last Sunday after joining on loan from Moseley.

McGarry-Cross was instrumental in getting them through the door at Worcester when he was in charge of Moseley and reckons the “sky is the limit” for the promising pair.

“If you were going to sign players based on personality and work ethic I would sign both of them,” McGarry-Cross said.

“I think they are excellent people and that’s the crux of any good club.

“If they aren’t offered contracts I am sure there is a reason why not but they have put themselves in the shop window and given themselves every chance.”

Yorkshire-born Bean, who stands at 6ft 9in and weighs 20st, progressed through the army’s rugby set-up before arriving at Billesley Common in 2017 and made 20 appearances for them last term.

The 26-year-old has served with The Rifles regiment in Afghanistan.

McGarry-Cross, who stepped down as Moseley boss in late August to focus on his role as head of rugby at Royal Grammar School Worcester, said the Birmingham club’s link with Warriors helped him to keep hold of Bean.

“You don’t get 6ft 9in, 20st guys who are mobile, coachable and English,” McGarry-Cross said.

“He is a guy who has got a lot of raw talent.

“He just needs someone to take him under his wing and keep teaching him how things are done.

“He is such a fast learner and has a great view on life having been shot at in Afghanistan and seen things from a different perspective.”

Williams established himself as an accurate kicker for Moseley, landing a club league record of eight out of eight kicks at goal in a match in 2016, before joining Hartpury.

After just one season with the Gloucestershire side McGarry-Cross managed to tempt the 21-year-old back to Moseley with the opportunity of honing his skills at Warriors.

“James is a guy who plays 10 or 12,” said McGarry-Cross who left Warriors at the end of last season after five years at the club.

“He is very similar to Ryan Mills in that respect.

“He is incredibly coachable, very likeable, a great athlete and has got a very good skillset.

“With him being EQP I am sure there are going to be clubs crawling all over him pretty soon.”

McGarry-Cross added: "The sky is the limit for Lewis and James because of the way they conduct themselves.

“They have both got a few things going for them as they are EQP, young and incredibly keen.

“There is no reason why opportunities could not be available for them at Worcester.

“I am sure other places will be interested as well, particularly off the back of Sunday’s performances.

“The two guys fully deserved their opportunity and they have grasped it with both hands.

“What they have got to do now is kick on and get to that next level.”