ROOKIE prop Gareth Milasinovich is setting his sights on a regular spot for Worcester Warriors’ first team.

The academy tighthead made his Aviva Premiership debut as a second-half replacement for Joe Rees in the 29-20 defeat against Leicester Tigers at Sixways.

Milasinovich arrived in Worcester from South Africa in the summer and played on a dual registration at Yorkshire Carnegie before making his Warriors debut at home to La Rochelle in November.

He said: “The best type of experience is getting game time.

“Playing for the Cavaliers is a good level to improve as a player and I learnt a few things playing in the Championship with Yorkshire.

“Hopefully I can now go on and work my way into the Premiership set-up more.

“I just want to get my head down, keep working and knocking at the door to get more chances to start at the top level.”

Last weekend saw Milasinovich front up against a Tigers front row that included internationals such as England’s Dan Cole, Italy’s Matias Aguero and Argentina’s 66-time capped Marcos Ayerza.

Milasinovich was yellow-carded by referee Wayne Barnes at his first scrum but believes he learned from the experience.

He said: “Those are the types of players you want to be matching up against.

“Ayerza is a very powerful scrummager and has destroyed many scrums so it was a test for me and gives me an understanding of what I need to work on and where I need to be to get to the level he’s at,” he said.

The giant prop has been tying in his rugby with academics in recent months, after studying for a postgraduate degree in investment management from the University of Johannesburg.

“I’m glad my studies are out the way now so I can concentrate fully on the rugby,” he said.

The forward, who turns 23 years old on Tuesday, is living in the Worcester’s new academy house and has already made some lifelong friends.

He said: “The academy house is fantastic. I’ve made some very good lifelong friends with Josh Adams, Huw Taylor, Sam Ripper-Smith and Jack Singleton –everyone in the house.

“We all get on and have a lot of PlayStation tournaments whether it’s Call of Duty or FIFA and we’re looking at getting a pool table in.”

The young South African weighs in at 125kg and added: “In South Africa we love our meat and I’m no exception. I love a good braai, especially a rib-eye steak or even some biltong to snack on.”