JOHN Brain has hailed Ben Hinshelwood as one of Worcester Rugby Club's players of the season so far.

The Sixways chief has been delighted with the 24-year-old's versatility which has seen the man with a reputation as a winger play at centre and full back.

And as Hinshelwood prepared to play at his former club Bedford this afternoon, Brain was full of praise for the Australian.

"I think Ben is a player who is capable of playing Premiership rugby," he said. "He's got a good attitude and a lot of impressive attributes. He is a very good rugby player and in two or three games this season he has been our best player, looking one to 15, he's been the best player on the pitch."

Worcester began the season with Sateki Tuipulotu as full back but with Hinshelwood showing fine form in the back line and the outstanding displays by Duncan Roke, Brain decided he had to accommodate both in the team.

"And since his switch to full back, Hinshelwood has gone from strength to strength.

"At full back he has given our attacking play an extra dimension," added Brain.

"We are very pleased with him. I think he is still learning though and we keep telling him he needs to keep up his level of performance week in, week out.

"The guys who make a good living out of rugby are not the ones that are 50 per cent one week and then having a blinder the next. They are guys who are consistently playing 80 or 90 per cent of their maximum every week.

"They are always there and can be relied upon - those are the guys who are playing in the Premiership.

"That is where Ben needs to set his sights and make sure he is not up and down and can consistently perform at a very high level.

"Ben can play anywhere in the back line and for a coach that is a very useful attribute."