GIANT lock Darren O’Shea admits his nerves might be jangling before Worcester Warriors’ cup clash against Munster A.

It is a fixture which the 21-year-old has been counting down the days to since the teams were drawn together in Pool Three of the Brit ish & Irish Cup.

O’Shea grew up in the seaside town of Crosshaven, supports Munster and completed a year with the club’s academy before making a switch to Sixways.

He is good friends with Rory Scannell, who kicked five penalties and a conversion in Munster’s 27- 21 win over Moseley last weekend.

“When you are very small, and living in Cork, you are brought up to live and breathe Munster Rugby Club,” said O’Shea.

“It’s a tribal thing and people see it as a privilege to play for Mun - ster. I went to watch a lot of their matches when I was younger and, when I came to train with the club, it was a bit surreal.

“Before this cup draw was made, I had a feeling we would be coming up against Munster and I would playing against some of my old friends. There has been a lot of banter flying around between me and Rory Scannell.

“If I am selected to play, I will be very nervous, but I am sure it will settle down for the match.

“My parents are coming over for the game and booked their trip as soon as they heard the draw.”

O’Shea arrived at Sixways in the summer and has made three appearances for Warriors.

He scored his maiden try in the win at Rotherham in the Greene King IPA Championship and im - pressed in Sunday’s 26-19 win at Nottingham in Warriors’ British & Irish Cup opener.

This is the first time that O’Shea has lived away from home.

“The move to Worcester was a lot to take in at the first, but I live with Niall Annett. When he came over, it made things easier to have some - one in a similar position.”

The Cork-born player says he knows the Munster lads will be keen to impress at Sixways.

“I think Munster will be very strong,” he said.