NICOLAS Le Roux inspired Worcester Warriors to a last-gasp win over Saracens and then admitted he had feared his Sixways career could have been over before it began.
The French full-back was instrumental in a nail-biting 25-24 victory that saw Worcester continue their magnificent unbeaten start to the season.
A back problem had kept Le Roux on the sidelines before Saturday's game and he was worried that he may have missed his chance to earn a spot in the team.
"I'm not happy when I'm not playing," he said. "I want to play. The first five weeks were difficult because I'm not playing.
"I just had one chance to play and I took it."
Le Roux arrived in the summer from Brive. He started the warm-up game against Benetton Treviso on the wing but did not begin Worcester's first two Premiership matches.
With Thinus Delport coming off injured in last week's win at London Irish, Le Roux had his chance to stake a claim for the number 15 shirt.
He said: "The first game was really difficult for me. It was a big stress before the game because I hadn't practiced with the guys. But once the game started it was OK."
But if Le Roux was anxious prior to kick-off, it didn't show on the field. His handling and touch-kicking were sublime and he showed strength that belied his 11 stone 10 lbs frame.
He was not the only hero on a day when Worcester reached the dizzy heights of fifth in the Premiership. The pack displayed the brute force that has earned them the reputation as one of the most feared set of forwards in the land.
Head coach Anthony Eddy said: "We're delighted with that. We've got to compliment our forwards as a result of the performance in the second-half. It was outstanding."
One concern for Warriors fans was the sight of Chris Horsman being helped off the field with an ice-pack strapped to his left ankle.
Eddy confirmed the powerful prop had "rolled his ankle" but is hopeful the injury will not be too serious.
Warriors travel to Leeds tonight in a Guinness 'A league' fixture.
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