FANS’ favourite Cooper Vuna has returned to Sixways as Worcester Warriors begin preparations for their new Aviva Premiership campaign.

The Australian international winger has been a huge hit at Warriors since joining the club from Japanese side Toshiba Brave Lupus in March.

He became a Sixways hero, grabbing eight tries in nine appearances, including a hat-trick at Cornish Pirates, as Warriors made an immediate return to the top flight.

Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole said Vuna “looked pretty happy” when he saw him at the club earlier this week.

“The bulk of the squad and some new faces came back last week and a few of the senior players were given a bit more time off but everybody looks happy,” he said.

“Compared to last season, we are already well ahead in terms of numbers and financially because of new season tickets holders coming on board,” said O’Toole.

“It’s World Cup year and there’s a real buzz about rugby. The sales have gone really well – I don’t know the figures because the tickets are being sold through various channels. But a third of tickets we have sold are to brand new season ticket holders.”

O’Toole confirmed there had been no new player signings since Warriors had secured promotion from the Championship in dramatic circumstances against Bristol at the end of May.

However, the Warriors chief said Argentinian fly-half Ignacio Mieres was among those who had now left the club.

O’Toole said: “There is no news on any new players so far and we won’t be speculating on positions or anything like that. We will release information on any new players if and when we have it.”

Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan previously said he would need to strengthen his squad with at least one or two new additions to deal with life in the Premiership.

“The situation any promoted club faces is that the bulk of business is done between November and February and I think we did a fair amount of positive business in that window,” said O’Toole.

“Dean is loyal to our club ethos of adding value rather than just bringing in people for the sake of it.”

Warriors will open their Premiership season against Northampton Saints at Sixways on Friday, October 16.

O’Toole said Worcester’s pre-season training is to be broken down into segments, including an initial month of fitness work before a trip to France for high altitude training.

He said any possible ring-fencing of the Premiership remained undecided and Warriors would be preparing for the campaign with the prospect of one club being relegated at the end.