Wood aiming for number six shirt

Wood made 19 appearances in an injury-affected 2008/09 season

Worcester Warriors flanker Tom Wood says he wants to cement his place in the team this season.

The 22-year-old, who came through the Warriors academy, made 19 appearances last season despite suffering from a shoulder injury.

"Initially I want to get that starting number six shirt," Wood told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"Then provided everyone's fit and going well, we need to push up the top end of the table," he said.

And Wood says there will be no excuses for the Warriors this season because he believes there is a well-established squad at Sixways.

"There's a good crop of youngsters now coming though and a good blend of top internationals in the team," he said.

Wood also said the success of the academy set-up at Sixways had been vital in developing both him and his team-mates.

"You do develop a bond - you know each other's styles of play and you can react to each other a bit better," he added.

"For a while, during the long slogs in the academy pre-season, it seemed like a long way away but now you see everyone flourishing and coming through.

"Most clubs would call it a success if one or two academy players came in and became established, but it looks as though we have 10 or 15 coming through."