BEN Gollings checked into Sixways today, vowing to put club before country.
The winger, who swapped Newcasle Falcons for Worcester Warriors last week, met up with his new team-mates on his first day of training.
Gollings has carved out a reputation as one of England's brightest sevens talents but, after his frustrating season with Newcastle last year, the 24-year-old wants to concentrate fully on his Worcester career.
His club campaign with the Falcons, following his move from Harlequins, was punctuated with international sevens duty and he freely admits that he has to look after his "bread and butter" if he wants to feast more regularly at the Premiership table.
"I have to concentrate on Worcester to do myself justice and to further my career," he said. "I've loved my four-and-a-half years of sevens rugby, but I have to concentrate on the 15-man game now.
"I don't want to be completely branded a sevens player, because there's more to me than that. I'm no different to other players because I want to go on and play 15-man international rugby.
"I'm not totally turning my back on sevens rugby because, if there is a chance to play and Worcester are happy, then I'm happy to go and play sevens. But I owe it to myself and my new club to put them first."
The former Quins man admitted he was "excited" about his move and there will be a few friendly faces to welcome him at Sixways.
"I know Pat Sanderson, Matt Powell and Daren O'Leary so it's not completely new to me," he said. "It's a very exciting time because Worcester are an ambitious club with some of the best facilities in the Premiership.
"I think we'll cause a few upsets next season. I don't think we'll do a Rotherham, because the recruitment has gone very well and the calibre of players at the club is very impressive.
"Personally, this move was all about me playing rugby again. I had a frustrating end to the season at Newcastle and I just want to play in the Premiership."
Meanwhile, Clive Stuart-Smith and James Percival begin preparations for Worcester's Premiership baptism today.
The duo, who were both involved in England's under-21 World Championship campaign in Scotland, will get down to their first day of Sixways training.
"I think they're both looking forward to getting back to club rugby," said head coach Andy Keast. "They've both come back after a good campaign with England in Scotland."
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