Worcester have terminated the contract of England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall only one year into a three-year deal.
Gomarsall often had to settle for a place on the bench last season
Gomarsall, 32 next month, arrived at Sixways last summer from neighbours Gloucester hoping to kick-start a Test career that had stalled since 2004.
But he is now looking for a new club two months before the start of the new season, and is understood to be seeking legal advice about his situation.
Director of rugby John Brain said: "He is no longer an employee of this club."
Gomarsall is one of 10 players leaving the Warriors this summer, with Ryan Powell already signed from Cardiff Blues as a replacement to compete alongside Matt Powell for the number nine jersey.
Brain hopes to announce one more new recruit in addition to eight already signed up.
"(Head coach) Anthony Eddy and I are very pleased with the summer recruitment campaign," Brain added.
"We feel we have a good balance in the squad as well as some very promising players coming through our Academy. We also hope to announce another signing during the course of pre-season."
Players in: Miguel Avramovic (centre - from Alumni, Argentina), Lee Best (full-back/wing - Bath), Marcel Garvey (wing - Gloucester), Ben Gotting (hooker - Wasps), Darren Morris (prop - Leicester), Ryan Powell (scrum-half - Cardiff Blues), Gavin Quinnell (back row - Llanelli Scarlets).
Players out: Nicolas Le Roux (to Brive), Gavin Hickie (Leicester), Jonny Hylton (unknown), Mike Maguire (Ulster), Andy Gomarsall (unknown), Jonny Tuamoheloa (Tarbes, France), Saiosi Vaili (Viadana, Italy), Mike McDonald (Leeds), Andre Van Niekerk (Lions, SA), Ed O'Donaghue (Queensland, Aus).