THERE could be few people who fit the bill of unsung hero better than Phil Murphy.

The no-nonsense northerner has been a vital cog in the Warriors wheel this season, working tirelessly to fill the considerable void left by the absence of Tim Collier.

In truth, Murphy had established himself as the first-choice number four long before Collier's season was curtailed by injury and has since emerged as one of Worcester's most reliable foot-soldiers.

The 25-year-old lock is happy for others to take the credit, even when they profit from his less glamorous work.

"It's keeping me in the team so I'm quite happy to do it as long as it is appreciated in the right circles," he said.

Murphy's efforts certainly aren't lost on his fellow players or the coaching staff and he has recently been rewarded with a two-year extension to his Sixways contract.

"I appreciate the faith being shown in me, playing me every week," he said.

"They have empathised that faith by offering me a two-year deal, which I'm over the moon about because I'm happy and settled here now."

Although he was born in Humberside, Murphy's return to former club Leeds Tykes tonight will be very much a homecoming, not least because his brother Chris will be lining up for the opposition.

And Phil has no worries about the prospect of battling it out on the pitch with his older sibling.

"It's no more difficult," he said. "It's more enjoyable really. You get to rucks and mauls and your head pops up and there he is.

"I spent a long time at Leeds. Going back to your former club always has something special about it. I'm just looking forward to getting back out in front of the Headingley crowd but on the opposition this time.

"It's a bigger ground but a smaller crowd than they have here. It's a much bigger city. In Worcester, rugby is the number one whereas in Leeds it has to be knocked down a peg or two by football and rugby league. But the support is very passionate."

Collier is not the only obstacle Murphy has had to overcome this season. He has also been battling Achilles tendonitis for much of the campaign, but the problem is now under control and his form is benefiting as a result.

He gave another accomplished display at Leicester, where Warriors came within one score of a famous triumph.

"We came away from Leicester very disappointed that we didn't go on and win the game because it was there for us to take," he said.

"It was pretty intense but it is always going to be with Leicester at Welford Road. We went there with a game plan and we managed to implement that game plan on them.

"I thought we controlled certain areas. Obviously they are always going to come at you. They are a good team, a good pack with big England internationals in there. We went at them and hit them hard in the rucks and in defence and got a lot of mileage out of it."

For now, Murphy is concentrating on cementing his first team place but has already tasted Heineken Cup rugby with Leeds and admits he is thirsty for more.

"It's obviously a step up," he said. "It's a big game. It becomes a faster game against better opposition.

"It's a step-up that every player wants to take - to play at the highest level they possibly can.

"For that to happen to me I have to keep myself in the team which is what it is all about."