Worcester Warriors flanker Jake Abbott admits that he still gets a massive thrill when he runs out at Sixways.

Abbott, 21, who has been part of the club since the age of six, said: "I go on about it a lot but it's massively important to me to be at this club.

"I have seen the club build and it's a fantastic feeling to run out there," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Abbott made his first league start of the season in Sunday's 14-3 Guinness Premiership defeat at Newcastle.

That was only his third league appearance for the club, after playing most of his rugby last season in cup games and out on loan at National League Two neighbours Stourbridge.

But he is hoping to have done enough to retain his place for this Saturday's return game against Newcastle at Sixways in the LV Cup.

"It was fantastic to start at Newcastle," said Abbott, "as I got in by pressing the more senior players for a place.

"But we let ourselves down and it's a chance to put that right on Saturday.

"To prove what we can do and build some momentum for the next two Premiership games."

Abbott has certainly come a long way from the days when he first joined the junior ranks at Sixways.

I remember my first game as a six-year-old. It was cold and I cried. Warriors flanker Jake Abbott

"I remember training and the grass being up to my knees, playing on pitches where the Slick Stand is now," he recalls.

"I remember my first game as a six-year-old. It was cold and I cried.

"I said I would never play again, but we gave it a few weeks and my dad dragged me me back down.

"And I started to enjoy it as the mini junior system is great here.

"The amateur club get the boys involved. I started to be one of the ball boys and you get to meet players. And, ever since I met them, I only wanted to play rugby.

"I was a winger until I was about 14.

"I used to just grab the ball and run in one direction.

"But I got so bored on the wing. I wanted to get more involved and the coach suggested I might be a good back rower, so I went from there.

"Ever since I watched the World Cup in 2003 and saw Neil Back, it was what I wanted to be."

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