New signing Danny Gray is confident he can revive his England Sevens form tomorrow (Friday) as he looks to stake an early claim for a fly-half starting spot this season at Sixways.
Gray arrived at Sixways this summer from French outfit Montauban and will pull on the Warriors jersey for the first time in the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series at Edgeley Park.
Despite his England Sevens experience and a CV containing spells at Exeter Chiefs and Bristol, Gray faces stiff competition for a starting berth in the Aviva Premiership with points machine Andy Goode and the hugely talented Joe Carlisle also vying for the No.10 jersey.
But while quick to accept the size of the task facing him to lock down a starting berth Gray is feeling bullish about getting that quest off to the perfect possible start in Sale.
“I have not played sevens at a really high level for a little while now but with the experience with England that I have hopefully that will stand me in good stead,” said Gray, who will line up against Leicester, Sale and Newcastle.
“I have been training hard and the fitness should be there and hopefully that means I can get off to a good start in my Worcester career.
“I have always considered myself to be a good playmaker in the sevens game and am able to pull the strings and hopefully I can do that this weekend.
“There is a lot of talented players in our line-up that hopefully I will be able to bring into the game and start my Worcester career off well.
“I have played against both Andy and Joe and they are both quality players and I know that I might have to be patient but I am excited to get the season started this weekend.”
Looking ahead to the new Aviva Premiership campaign, Gray is also convinced that newly-promoted Warriors can make a big impact.
“When I got offered the opportunity to come to play with Worcester and under Richard Hill it was an easy decision,” added the 28-year-old.
“And it has all gone well so far in training, there are a lot of very good players and we’re looking forward to the new season.”
Tickets for every round of the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series are available through Ticketmaster on www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844-8472492