IF anyone proves that fate is crafting fortunes on the sporting stage it is John O'Reilly.

Three months ago he was looking for a job. On Saturday, he starts his first competitive game for Worcester and is likely to become of absolute importance to their promotion campaign.

With Werner Swanepoel's immediate future hanging in the balance, the scrum half takes his place in the side bound for Bracknell at the weekend. And if Swanepoel receives a ban of six weeks or more, O'Reilly will become the main man when it comes to the promotion showdown at Rotherham on November 23.

It would be the end of an incredible journey for the former Sale, Manchester, Leicester and Leeds player who only arrived at Sixways because of Richard Smith's untimely switch to Cardiff.

Ironically, O'Reilly found himself without a club because of Rob Howley's decision to quit the Arms Park and seek a move to England -- a move which prompted Cardiff to seek Smith's services.

"Everything at Leeds back-fired at the last minute and left me out of contract," he said. "The day before I was meant to sign a new contract, I spoke to Phil Davies. He said the deal had been withdrawn because they were going to try and sign Rob Howley. Obviously that backfired on them a little bit because he went off to Wasps but that was the last contact I had with Leeds. It was an absolute bombshell.

"It's come full circle because Rob's decision meant I was out of a job but, after Richard left for Cardiff, I then got the call from John Brain here at Worcester. It was late on as regards preparation for the new season but I came to Worcester and fortunately they offered me a full time deal."

O'Reilly arrived at Worcester at the end of July looking to fill Smith's boots and, after impressing in a warm up fixture against Swansea, the 25-year-old was given the contract just hours before the squad jetted off on a pre-season trip to South Africa.

"I remember the Swansea game and I had to approach it is though I had nothing to lose. You cannot worry about the pressure of winning a contract, you have to go and play and try to show the coaches what you are made of. If I had played badly then it would have been thanks, but no thanks so I didn't have anything to lose.

"When my trial period finished, I came up to Sixways to watch the boys play Ebbw Vale in another pre-season friendly and then had a chat with John Brain afterwards which was very constructive. In the end, I signed about half an hour before we left for South Africa!

"I couldn't be happier. The club is second to none, the coaches are superb -- the best set up in my experience so far -- and the team is developing week in, week out."

O'Reilly's part in that development has been fitful so far behind club captain Swanepoel. However, that could all change in the coming weeks in the wake of the South African's recent sending off at London Welsh. An RFU disciplinary panel will decide on Wednesday just what the sentence will be and although O'Reilly is disappointed for the skipper, he realises that opportunity is knocking.

"In rugby utopia, I would be playing every week! However, things do not work like that and more and more, rugby today is about a squad and everyone pulling together for one goal. I've got to improve my game, apply pressure to Werner and keep on knocking on John Brain and Andy Keast's door.

"When opportunities arise, it is up to me to take them. Obviously Werner is a very high profile player but I cannot look at it like that. I want the number nine jersey and I want to be playing for Worcester. When we get promoted, I want to make sure I am playing in the Premiership. I'm only on a one-year deal so there is a huge amount for me to achieve.

"If Werner is suspended for a length of time then it is disappointing for him but it is an opportunity I have to take with both hands. It's up to me now to go and prove to the coaches that they made a good choice in the summer by signing me."

The signing will be inspirational if O'Reilly proves himself in Swanepoel's absence. And he would love the chance to take centre stage in the Millmoor clash next month.

"When you play in the Premiership there is huge pressure. To be honest, it was something that I thrived on and want more of.

"The Rotherham match is the kind of game everyone lives for -- they are the ones you want to play in. Obviously things are up in the air at the moment with Werner but if I started that game I would be absolutely thrilled."