RICO Gear’s impressive pre-season form has given Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock a selection headache ahead of the impending Guinness Premiership season.

However, the Sixways chief insists it is a welcome problem and is delighted he has three in-form wings battling for two postitions to take on Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens when the season kicks-off on September 7.

After joining the Warriors, Kiwi speedster Gear struggled with a succession of minor injuries and ailments, which prevented him from hitting the heights that earned him 20 caps for the All Blacks.

The former Canterbury Crusaders try-scorer admits he was jaded when he arrived at Worcester but, after an end-of-season break to recharge his batteries and a full pre-season campaign, he is raring to go.

Ruddock said: “Rico played really well at Doncaster and was very physical. It gives us a tough choice of who to start with on the wings, but that is exactly the kind of selection headache we want.

“He had a few injuries last year and perhaps we didn’t see the best of Rico. At Doncaster, there were signs that he is getting back to top form.

“He is very physical now and knocked two guys over during the game — one of them was even knocked out because they tried to stop him using an incorrect tackle technique. Rico’s tackling was also a major step up from last season.

“Marcel Garvey and Miles Benjamin were in possession of the wing shirts at the end of last year and that’s why they went to the Middlesex Sevens, but Rico put down a strong marker at Doncaster.

“All three of them will get plenty of game time against Moseley today and then again in the Ulster game next week — the places are still very much up for grabs.”

Despite their 32-9 success over National One Doncaster, Ruddock had harsh words for his players afterwards for losing their discipline.

He said: “We should have won by 40 to 50 points but we got involved with the scraps instead of focusing on closing out the game.

“Our discipline in the last 15 to 20 minutes wasn’t good enough. We gave away penalties so had to defend a lot rather than pushing on and scoring extra points.

“We were top of the yellow card league in the Premiership last year, which is not something we are proud of.

“That was one of the reasons we brought in Hugh Watkins as our consultant referee and he’ll go through all of this type of penalties with the players concerned.”