THE nation may well be feeling the pinch due to the credit crunch but, for Warriors fly-half Joey Carlisle, it certainly is crunch time tonight.

The play-maker starts Worcester’s European Challenge Cup clash in Bourgoin this evening and he freely admits it is a huge game in his career.

The stand-off, who turned 21 yesterday, has yet to make a big impression on the Warriors first team, despite his obvious talents, and an injury to Matthew Jones has presented him with the chance to stake his claim to the number 10 jersey.

The Swindon-born outside-half said: “It’s a big opportunity for me, especially with Matt being out injured.

“It’s crunch time now and I’ve got to prove myself. I’ve got to take my opportunity.

“Bourgoin are a good side and it will be a tough game.”

Although Carlisle can sometimes be guilty of taking too many risks in trying to crack open defences, he is certainly blessed with silky skills.

In fact, his Sixways director of rugby Mike Ruddock insists he has never coached a better passer of the ball. Praise indeed from a man who has presided over the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Gavin Henson, Stephen Jones and Percy Montgomery to name but a few.

However, the Warriors chief also feels it is make-or-break time for this talented youngster.

He said: “Joey has a huge amount of ability. I’ve been coaching for a long time and his passing is as good as anything I’ve seen.

“He has a good rugby brain on his shoulders and makes good decisions. He came on in last year’s ECC final against Bath and in 10 minutes made a try and kicked the conversion from the touchline. It’s time to find out now — this is a great opportunity for him.

“It is going to be a cauldron in Bourgoin and this will be a good indicator for us as to whether Joey is going to take the next step on or not.

“He’s been nursed along, nurtured through the academy and has been on the fringes of the first team for quite some time.

“He’s obviously a talented player, but he’s 21 now and it’s time for him to start pushing the guys above him and show that he can do it.”

The jury is still out as to whether Carlisle can make it as a top-class fly-half, but the player himself is determined to succeed.

He added: “I’ve got to have a good game tonight so I can try and keep Loki Crichton out.

“I think I am ready for the challenge of playing in the Guinness Premiership, but I am still young and there are areas of my game I’m still working on.

“It was a bit of a shock to get so much time at Saracens after Loki went off injured, but a good shock.

“I didn’t think it went too badly — I was a little bit rusty, but there were some good and bad points.

“I get on really well with Loki and he helps me out loads, while Matt Jones is a confident guy and offers me advice too.”

Carlisle added: “It was my 21st birthday yesterday, so these are a big couple of days for me and I couldn’t have asked for a better present than starting tonight’s game.

“Hopefully we’ll have too much skill and awareness for Bourgoin. We’ll have to make sure we match them physically too.

“Mike has been telling me that I need to boss the show and make sure everyone around me knows what’s going on. He’s told me that if I believe in myself the others around me will do too. It’s all positive stuff and I can’t wait to get out there now.

“My main strengths are that I try and think outside the box and not do what everyone else does all the time.

“I try and create things for the people around me and control the game.”