CLIVE Stuart-Smith has pledged his future to Worcester ahead of tonight's relegation showdown with Leeds.

The 21-year-old scrum-half, who made the switch from Headingley to Sixways in the summer, has endured a frustrating season behind Matt Powell and Neil Cole in the Worcester pecking order.

However, the former England Under-21 skipper is refusing to throw in the towel as he prepares to tackle his ex-employers. Recent speculation has linked Stuart-Smith with a move away from Sixways but he's determined to make his mark at Worcester.

"I've always said that the first challenge, when I joined Worcester, was to try and get that number nine shirt," he said.

"That's not changed in any way. I'm signed for another year after this season so I won't be leaving. It's just a matter of working as hard as I possibly can to get what I'm looking for and that's to play for Worcester.

"It's been a frustrating time and that makes me look a bit deeper at myself. I'm very self critical anyway but I've talked to the coaches and they're helping me with my game.

"I've just got to try and adapt the way I play, which is what we're working on, in order to get the style of rugby that we're trying to achieve."

Stuart-Smith arrived at Sixways with a massive reputation. Part of the national elite set-up, the former Gloucester academy starlet was being touted as the next England scrum-half when he made the Worcester move. After just one Premiership start this season, however, he's seen his name drop from the elite list as he's struggled to adapt to Worcester's wants.

It's a fight, though, that the former Tyke is not going to turn his back on.

"I'm a player that likes to get stuck in and involved," he said.

"That's the way I've always played but I'm learning that the top scrum-halves around are better organisers than 'doers'. I need to organise more and step back sometimes from what's going on.

"I've worked under a lot of good coaches and both John Brain and Andy Keast are extremely knowledgeable. They only want to help me become a better player and I'm learning about Worcester all the time.

"Gloucester played a certain way, as did Leeds and it's a little different at Worcester so it's all about education."

Education, though, can be tough and Stuart-Smith has seen his former Under-21 team-mate Harry Ellis jump to the top of the class while he sat from the Sixways sidelines.

Back in the summer, the Leicester scrum-half was perceived to be neck and neck with Stuart-Smith in the race to be England's great new hope. But as the Six Nations gets underway this weekend, it's Ellis who has pulled away into the distance.

"Harry and I have come through the ranks together," said Stuart-Smith. "I will always have a look at him and see how he's getting on. Part of that is frustration and the fact that he's doing really well. I always compare myself with him and other nines who are doing well, it's a natural thing to do. So that's a bit frustrating but I've not got to think about that. All I can do is get on the pitch and show what I'm capable of.

"I'm not a great fan of the word potential anymore! It's about time that I started to show what I can actually do rather than sit on the age tag. Yes, I am young. I know that and I'm trying to pick up as much experience as I can and increase my knowledge of the game.

"I'll be tuning into England over the weekend but I don't like watching games. I want to be out there doing what they are doing!

"That's a constant motivation. As long as I keep my head down and work hard then, hopefully, that's just around the corner."