THE revamped A League competition will mount “more pressure” on Aviva Premiership clubs, according to Worcester Warriors chief Gary Gold.

Under the new format teams in the North Pool, which includes Worcester Cavaliers, will play 10 matches instead of five.

Bosses at Premiership Rugby believe the increase in games will give young players the chance to “develop in their own club environment”.

But Gold is unhappy with the number of competitive matches before Christmas as he fears it will take its toll on his squad.

He also admitted the move did play a part in his decision to snap up scrum-half Peter Stringer who has signed a six-month deal as cover for South Africa star Francois Hougaard.

“The wise men have decided we will put 10 games into the schedule before Christmas,” Gold said.

“That’s just too much of a load for three nines to be able to handle.

“It is a specialist position, as is hooker, and it was fortuitous that Strings was around.”

Worcester’s second string has usually been made up of fringe players, first-team stars battling back from injury and youngsters.

Last season Cavaliers won just one of their five fixtures which were spread from September until April.

“There is a huge amount of pressure which weighs on you when expectations are so high about your Premiership form and performance,” Gold said.

“You want to perform well in Europe and the Anglo-Welsh Cup as well so to have 10 (A League) fixtures before Christmas when we have purposely cut our squad down could put pressure on us.

“In saying that we now know what it is and we are planning accordingly.

“But when the question came of why we brought Peter in it’s because we are going to be running two teams during one week on several occasions.

“Even if everyone is fit you still need four nines so that was the reason why.

“It is definitely going to put more pressure on teams. But you just have to plan and prepare accordingly.”

Worcester will face Leicester Tigers, Northampton Wanderers, Sale Jets, Wasps and Newcastle Falcons home and away.

The first and second-placed teams in the group will progress to the semi-finals where they will meet the South Pool’s top two sides.

A spokesman from Premiership Rugby said: “The new A League structure was agreed by our clubs at a recent board meeting.

“The new system will see teams in two conferences play home and away.

“The new structure will give young players the opportunity to develop in their own club environment in competitive matches.

“With England having won three out of the last five Junior World Cups it is clear we have a talented group of young players who will emerge via the A League and Anglo-Welsh Cup into Aviva Premiership Rugby.”