Every fortnight we go behind the scenes to bring you closer to the Warriors players.
This week, we speak to scrum-half Jonny Arr, who has been with the club since he was just seven years old.
The Worcester born-and-bred star talks Warriors, studying a degree, and his own version of Come Dine With Me…
Age: 25
Warriors apps/pts: 133/35
Country: England
Favourite film: Saving Private Ryan
Favourite food: Sausage and mash
Favourite band: Blink 182
How glad are you to be back from injury?
It was frustrating being on the sidelines but it was great to get back to it against Sale. I want to be out there on the pitch as much as possible now and hopefully I won’t have any more setbacks.
What do you make of the season so far?
It’s been tough. There’s no hiding from that. We are in a difficult position but the spirit within the boys is still high and we will fight to try and get up the table.
How can we bounce back?
We have to try and win as many as we can and it’s down to us players to get out of it. We have to target our away form and that is key. We still feel we can beat any side at Sixways but we need to pick up wins on the road. Other than the London Irish performance we have been playing some good rugby. We need to get back to that, keep our discipline, take our chances and be clinical.
You’ve been at the club for 18 years, what are the significant changes you’ve witnessed in your time at Warriors?
The on-site development has been massive. When I first started none of the stands were here and it was just a tiny clubhouse and a few fields. But clearly there has been a huge improvement in the playing side of things too. In my time I have seen the club make a huge rise up the rugby ladder all the way up to the Premiership. If we were to plot the club’s progress on a graph, it would be sky-rocketing. However, there are always dips along the way and that happens with every business and sports club. I’ve experienced that when we got relegated but we bounced straight back up. Overall, the expansion of this club has been outstanding.
Where do you think the club is heading?
The next few years are very important in terms of determining the club’s future. We’ve gone through a big transition in the summer with new coaching staff and players. Dean has come in and he is all for kick-starting the youth system and that is key to making a sustainable rugby organisation. It is also vital to get the right kind of people which is essential to create a culture and identity of a club so that it can push forward.
How are you finding life under the new coaching regime?
It has been great. The coaches have come in with plenty of new ideas and and they complement each other perfectly. All the players are constantly learning and developing their game.
What do you get up to away from the game?
Both myself and Jake Abbott are currently studying a degree in leadership and management, so I’m in the library or at my desk at home trying to get that done. We are both doing better than we thought. If it wasn’t for the competition and wanting to beat Jake, then I don’t think I would be doing it! We keep each other going.
Anything else you've been up to in your spare time?
Between me, Jake, Sam Betty, Cam Goodhue and Ben Howard, we are having a little Come Dine With Me competition. Jake went all out as The Naked Chef which affected his results. Only him and Sam have done it so far. The winner gets eternal respect and maybe a small prize.
Best moment in the game?
It would have to be making my Warriors debut in 2007 in the EDF Cup or winning the Championship in 2011.
What are your targets now then?
In the short-term it is to finish the season on a high and to try and keep us in the Premiership. In the long-term, if I’m around, my aim is to move the club forward and help realise Cecil and everyone else’s ambition in reaching the Heineken Cup.