A KNEE problem may have delayed Jamie Shillcock’s start to the campaign but that hasn’t stopped the young fly-half thinking big at Worcester Warriors.

The 21-year-old burst onto the scene three years ago at Sixways and has been on an upward trajectory ever since.

More than 20 appearances across all the competitions last campaign and four tries to boot was another step in the right direction but a knee injury has kept him out of Alan Solomons’ side in the Gallagher Premiership.

The youngster admits it’s frustrating to have sat out the opening few weeks of the season as the Warriors have picked up two victories against Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears.

Duncan Weir, who kicked seven conversions against the Bears last week, is one of a host of players competing with Shillcock for a fly-half berth but the talented player is up for the challenge and is looking forward to returning to the pitch as soon as possible.

He said: “Hopefully we’ll be back in the next couple of weeks and get as much rugby under my belt as possible. I want try and help us kick on in the league but hopefully we can push on after the victory. 

“Individually I want to play as much rugby as possible and see where it takes me.

“It’s real competitive at the moment, the training has been really good so the guys really want to impress and I want to show what I can do as well.

“The selection is based entirely on how you’re playing. No one gets in automatically, it’s about whoever plays well gets picked which is good for everyone and the young guys as well. We know that everyone has the chance of playing so that’s really good.”

Shillcock was speaking at the latest round of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, a competition which gives local under 11 and 12 sides the chance to play at Twickenham on the day of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final on June 1.

He said: “It’s a brilliant day for rugby. It’s great for these young guys to come down and play; we’ve had 44 teams across the under 11 and under 12 events so it’s been fantastic.

“Everyone gets a chance to play against each other, see what the sport is about and meet new people as well.

“For anyone to get the chance to go to Twickenham it’s a really special occasion, there’s nothing better than stepping on the hallowed turf and it’s something they will savour for a long time.”

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