Last season’s JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby Sevens catapulted Ben Howard into the first-team spotlight at Sixways.
His impressive performances during the Kingsholm tournament were soon rewarded as he made his Aviva Premiership debut against Leicester Tigers in September last year.
He went on to score tries against Bizkaia Gernika, London Wasps and Scarlets before making his first Aviva Premiership start against Harlequins in April.
On the international front he helped the England Under 20 side to Six Nations and Junior World Championship glory before returning to Sixways for pre-season training earlier this month.
And the 20-year-old admits the JP Morgan Sevens helped him kick-start his Warriors career.
He said: “Last season went much better than I ever thought it would. It all started with the Sevens which was my first taste of the limelight and senior rugby.
“What was great about the competition was that all the teams put out strong sides and I remember playing Bath first up and standing next to Matt Banahan and Tom Biggs in the tunnel.
“My main memory was that it was very hard but it is a good environment for space and trying a few things out but hopefully the results will be a bit better for us this year.”
After helping England to a 23-15 victory against Wales in the Junior World Championship final this summer, Howard believes the experience of last season has helped him mature as a player.
He continued: “”The World Championship final was one of those matches that are too big to be nervous for. I was starting and we got the right result in the end so you can take a lot from those experiences.
“You are in a certain mindset and being put in those situations in invaluable and something you can't replicate in training. You have to be put outside your comfort zone because it can bring the best out of you.
“And now we know how to prepare correctly we can take that into other big games in the future.”
With Howard only recently returning to pre-season training after his England endeavours, he has instantly turned his attentions to breaking into the Warriors first-team and impressing new Director of Rugby Dean Ryan – starting with the JP Morgan Sevens next month.
He added: “I had a five minute chat with Dean before I went away but I think his mantra is developing young players and young coaches so it will make Worcester a place the young guys want to be.
“Worcester is a good place for me to be and hopefully I will have the chance to show what I can do and, with Dean here, I definitely feel I will get those opportunities.
“It will be good to return to Kingholm if I’m selected for the Sevens and I’m looking forward to getting the season started.”
The J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off on 1st August at Kingsholm with rounds at Franklin's Gardens and Allianz Park and the Final at The Recreation Ground. For tickets and more information visit www.jpmorgan7s.com or follow @jpmorganrugby7s.