SPEND a little time with an old coach and they will, sooner or later, get on to the subject of wasted potential.

It is one of those criminal offences in sport, one which carries with it a sentence of lingering frustration as the years tick by.

The nature of life in National One guarantees an endless of list of wannabees who should have played on the bigger stage.

Be it lack of application on the player's part or simply poor coaching, English rugby's Division One is riddled with some rough diamonds that never quite made the jewellers.

Gary Trueman is one gem who looks likely to make the most of his talent. The former Saracens man has come a long way in 12 months. From academy graduate to fulcrum of the Worcester midfield. But how exactly has the transformation come about?

The answer is linked in some way to Saturday's opponents. Plymouth Albion arrive at Sixways with no more ambition than that of damage limitation. But for one player, the fixture offers a golden chance of retribution against the management duo who believed he wasn't good enough for Worcester.

John Brain and Andy Keast released Chris Yates in the summer after a disappointing year at Sixways following a move from Premiership big boys Gloucester. Yates arrived with a big reputation, one which, ultimately, he wasn't able to justify. And when Keast arrived in January 2002, Yates suddenly found himself playing second fiddle to an academy upstart.

Trueman had to be patient for his chance after signing on as an academy player at Worcester. But after getting his opportunity against Henley in the month of Keast's appointment, the 22-year-old hasn't looked back. Indeed, so impressed were Keast and Co with his work ethic and raw talent that Trueman was handed a new full time contract in the summer while Yates was shown the door.

Now the two come face to face for the first time since they went their separate ways. It is a chance to gauge just how far they've come in 12 months.

"It's a big test for me on Saturday," said Trueman.

"When I first came to the club Chris Yates was a role model for someone like me. I played against him when I was at Saracens and he dominated in the game.

"It's a personal head to head for me and it's always more when you have something to prove against the other player. He's still a friend of mine, so it makes it even more special."

"I originally came to Worcester as an academy player," he added.

"I started right down the bottom and basically asked John Brain whether I could train with the first team. I had one big chance against Henley and I took it with both hands.

"I think Andy Keast thought I was 28 when he arrived! When he found out I was 21, it kind of worked in my favour. It's nice to know that people have faith in you and believe you have the potential to go on.

"I hope there's a lot more to come. I certainly feel it's there. It comes down to improving and getting a bit bigger and quicker if I want to go higher. I'm at a great place to do that but I have to make sure I go forward from here.

"I think my reading of the game has come on. I'm certainly much improved since I arrived at the club, I see a lot more of what's going on. I still have a hell of a long way to go though but Andy Keast is determined to get the best out of me."