MATT Powell returns to the Stoop tomorrow a very different scrum-half to the one that left 18 months ago.

For a start, he's finally first choice at a club instead of a persistent bench warmer and, after taking a calculated gamble on National One outfit Worcester in 2003, Powell has finally added the consistency factor to his game.

What's made it all the more remarkable, however, is the fact that Powell began his Sixways season as the third-choice nine behind Neil Cole and Clive Stuart-Smith.

Six months on, though, and he's firmly established himself alongside James Brown as the favoured half-back pairing.

"It's been nice to start most games and, without a doubt, it's been my most consistent season in the Premiership," he said.

"In terms of my all-round game, it's going a lot better but I'm reminded by just about everyone at the club that there are certain areas that I need to improve upon!

"I know that I've got to work on my game and the coaches here are constantly striving for perfection. I'm not the type of person that rests on their laurels and you're certainly not allowed to at Worcester.

"I wouldn't say I've secured a position because with Neil Cole and Clive Stuart-Smith around, you can never let your performances dip. The start of the season highlights that when I was third choice.

"I guess I was used to being in and out of the team anyway after my experience at Harlequins. I could be first choice one week, then second and third pick before being number one again. You only needed a couple of bad games to be third-choice scrum-half.

"I've spent a lot of time on the bench at Harlequins and Saracens before that and it does motivate you to win your place back. The bench is not the place any sportsman wants to be.

"Sometimes it can be very up and down and I felt for Neil Cole when he was dropped following our big defeat at Sale. I certainly knew how he felt but ever since I came in for the Harlequins game back in October things have gone pretty well."

After leading the Warriors to that first ever Premiership victory with a stunning display against Quins, Powell's ready to heap more pressure on his former employers as he makes his first return to Twickenham since his departure.

Worcester lie 10th in the table, two points ahead of bottom side Northampton and, because of more games won, above Quins. So, as Powell prepares to play at the club where he became an established name in the top flight, he knows the stakes are high.

"It's going to be pretty special to go back there because it'll be the first time since I left," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to it as are Pat Sanderson, Tim Collier and Daren O'Leary who also used to play there. It's important because if we can win and results go our way then it could be a vital weekend but, as we've seen already this season, results don't normally go as you'd expect. We certainly can't rely on other people to do us favours. This game is massively important for us. The winner will move away from the bottom so it's pretty big."

Powell will be desperate, however, to avoid a hat-trick tomorrow. In the past two Premiership games, his charged-down clearances and box kicks have led to tries for Gloucester and Leeds. A third mistake is something he's determined to steer clear of, especially in front of his former supporters.

"People have reminded me," he said. "I know I'm on a hat-trick but hopefully that won't happen tomorrow. I'm constantly reminded by the likes of Tim Collier that I need to sort that out so I'm well aware of the situation!"