AS Warriors step off the Premiership treadmill for two weeks they can reflect on a pleasing set of results that has seen them consolidate their position in the right half of the table.

And one man in particular has stepped out of the shadows to emerge as the surprise package in Worcester's early encounters.

Kai Horstmann has gone from warming the bench at Harlequins to playing a pivotal role in Worcester's league and cup campaigns.

"Last season was a frustrating time for me, not getting as much rugby as I hoped and the move has done me good," he said.

"It's a fantastic club, a fantastic fan base and everybody has been very welcoming. It's been great to get involved, to get stuck in and play some good rugby."

Injuries to Horstmann's back row colleagues Drew Hickey and Siaosi Vaili have given the Welsh-born Englishman his chance and he has responded with some excellent displays, particularly in Worcester's two Powergen Cup matches.

While they lost both games, Horstmann's performances shone through. He showed that he can craft as well as graft and has the ability to influence the game in all areas of the pitch.

Vaili and Hickey both have a massive physical presence and love to impose themselves on the opposition but Horstmann has the rugby brain to operate at number eight or on the blind-side.

"To be honest I don't mind at all as long as I'm in the team," he said. "When I was at Quins the main reason I established myself at number eight is because that's where they wanted me to play.

"That's where I played most but I always felt I could play anywhere that they wanted me to play.

"John Brain had the confidence to try me at six and, hopefully I can prove that I can play there as well. It's nice to be able to play in more than one position."

The move from the relegated Middlesex side has undoubtedly revitalised the 24-year-old and he has benefited from linking up with old pals Pat Sanderson and Matt Powell, who he played alongside at the Stoop.

"It's been great. Powelly and Pat have been brilliant," said Horstmann. "It's always an anxious time going to a new club and it's always helpful if you know a couple of the guys. It has been great and they have helped me out a lot. It's made settling in that much easier."

And Horstmann has no regrets about the decision to move north.

He said: "I was promised a lot of things at Quins and we didn't have a great season last season. The coach wasn't keen on mixing up the team.

"I wasn't getting picked and that's frustrating for any player. As a player all you want to do is play rugby. The opportunity came to move to Worcester and I jumped at it."

Horstmann's involvement with the England 'Sevens' squad during the last two years has helped to maintain his enthusiasm.

He said: "The choice was staying at a club and acting as cannon fodder on the bag every week or travelling to Hong Kong or Dubai and playing some sevens and I jumped at the opportunity. It was a fantastic experience.

"But at the moment I want to concentrate on Worcester. There's massive ambition here at the club.

"I want to concentrate on cementing my starting position and focusing on Worcester. If anything else happens it is a bonus."