IN-FORM centre Max Stelling celebrated his 21st birthday earlier this week and, this afternoon, is returning to Moseley — the club where his passion for rugby began.

Stelling has strong links with Moseley — he joined the club when was four years old, his brother was also a junior player and his dad a team coach.

“I was at Moseley for 11 or 12 years from the age of four until 15 years,” recalled Birmingham-born Stelling, who still lives in the area.

“My brother also played for the mini and juniors at the club and my dad coached my age group, so I have strong links with Moseley.”

The centre has played against his first club this season and scored a try as Worcester recorded a 39-0 away success in the British and Irish Cup.

Warriors recorded a 23-7 home win against Moseley in the Greene King IPA Championship and a 31- 12 triumph against Moseley in British and Irish Cup.

Warriors will be aiming for a fourth victory this term against the Billesley Common outfit.

Stelling said: “I was on loan at Jersey in my first season at Worcester and I played away at Moseley in my first season, so I have played against them a few times now.

“To be honest, it’s just a normal game now apart from a few more familiar faces in the crowd.

“I was never part of the senior set up or the Colts and you have to let go of these things.”

The powerful centre has been one of Warriors’ stand-out performers this season, scoring seven tries in just 13 appearances.

He joined Warriors’ academy in 2012 and burst on to the scene with a club-record six-minute hat-trick on his first-team debut against Bizkaia Gernika in October 2012.

Stelling, who looks up to New Zealand centre Conrad Smith, scored three tries in 14 first-team appearances during director of rugby Dean Ryan’s first campaign in charge.

“I wouldn’t be a professional rugby player if it wasn’t for Dean Ryan, Mark Hewitt and Sam Vesty so I have absolutely no desire to move — Worcester is a great place to be as a young player,” said the 21-year-old, who educated at Old Swinford Hospital.

“I played a fair bit last year after Dean gave me opportunities and I played in the LV and the Amlin Cups and he looked to give me opportunities wherever he could — and I am very grateful for that.

“I came off the bench two or three times in the Premiership last season and I started on the wing against Newcastle Falcons when we won up there.

“It has been a great season for me so far. This is my first-season as a first-team player.

“I was mentioned for the first team and I got my opportunity.

“I have stayed in the side and it has been great — I have played loads of games and I think I am improving every week.”

Stelling admits there is a different vibe around Sixways this season and he is working hard on his game, particularly his defensive duties.

“I am trying to get better in defence and being a reliable outside centre that guys like Alex Grove and Ravai Fatiaki offer and try to get myself up to that level.

He added: “The lads have been playing well on Monday nights and in the British and Irish Cup — and that’s how I got my opportunity.

I am aware that other guys could take this off me now.

“But the feel about the club is huge and it’s a much more positive place to work.

“You want to come to training and get your head down and work hard and, for us to succeed.

“It’s crucial we have an environment that promotes hard work."