Craig Gillies started his professional rugby career with ill-fated Richmond

Worcester Warriors lock Craig Gillies is set to break the club's appearance record when he runs out against Esher at Sixways this weekend.

Gillies is due to play his 223rd game for the club on Saturday (1500 GMT), breaking the record set by Tony Windo.

"I am trying not to think about it too much," Gillies told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "It makes me feel old.

"It's my ninth season here and it has been a roller coaster, lots of highs, a few lows. It's been a journey."

Worcester were still at their current level, prior to their Premiership days, when Gillies moved to Sixways in 2002 from Llanelli, after three years with the Welsh side.

"We spent two seasons in the First Division when I first got here," recalls Gillies,. "And we won 26 from 26 in the second season.

"Our first season in the Prem we bucked the trend and stayed up against all odds and there are great memories, like that last game of the season which we had to win to stay up.

"Some of the big clubs rolled in on Friday nights and we beat teams like Wasps.

"Getting relegated was the lowest point for us as a team, as a club and on a personal level

"It is a difficult emotion to get your head round, to let it sink in, but things move on and we can only deal with things in front of you."

Gillies, who will lead the Warriors onto the field on Saturday, admits that there have been times when he was tempted to leave, but he feels at home in Worcester.

"There have been offers on the table at other places," he said. "And I have been through a couple of contract renewals. It's a bit tense. Not a time I enjoy.

"But I am a fairly loyal person and I have always wanted to stay."

Full commentary on Saturday's Worcester-Esher game (1500 BST) on 104 fm and online.

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