Rugby is a way of life for Jake

The highly-regarded openside flanker, who has been associated with the Sixways side since he was five years old, is passionate about the club and is desperate to become a fixture in the first XV.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock has given the 21-year-old former Worcester Sixth Form College student the chance to press his claims by naming him in an all-academy-developed back row to take on Spanish outfit Olympus Rugby XV Madrid in the Amlin Challenge Cup tomorrow (4.30pm).

Lining up alongside fellow through-the-ranks youngsters Matt Cox and James Collins, Abbott is determined to grab his chance with an all-action display.

He enthused: “I’m massively excited about playing this weekend — it has been a long time coming because of the various injuries I’ve had.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into some serious rugby.

“It has been very frustrating — especially as it is a critical time for me as a young player trying to push on through to the first team.

“From what we’ve heard, Madrid are going to be fiercely competitive. With the new rule around the ruck where the first man in can have a go for the ball, it is very important for the type of game I play.

“Montpellier were very competitive in the forwards and we’ve got to up our ideas there and make sure we smash into Madrid.”

Although he is relishing tomorrow’s opportunity, playing in the Guinness Premiership for his home-town club is an ambition that drives Abbott to succeed.

He explained: “I am Worcester born-and-bred and I have been with the club since I was five years old. I remember when the new East Stand wasn’t there and it was just pitches that I used to play on.

“There is no other club I’ve ever thought about since I was a ball-boy for the first team, watching people like Nick Baxter running in tries week in, week out.

“It is extra-special — it is more than just a sport for me — it is a way of life and has been since day one. I used to dream of playing for the club alongside what were men mountains to me at the time.

“My dad used to drag me up here every Sunday morning right from the mini-juniors.

“Five years ago, I used to captain Worcester Wanderers — the club’s amateur side — and luckily I got a little break and managed to come through to the Warriors’ academy.

“I still very much keep in touch with those guys — I know the president and the manager of the amateur club and see them quite often.”

He added: “I think the ‘Worcester Way’ Mike Ruddock is developing here is a massively good thing, because local boys care. Every time I play, winning is everything, but it is not about me it is about the team as a collective.”

An England Sevens call-up has also been occupying Abbott recently and the back-rower is keen to use the experience to hone his skills.

He said: “The England Sevens call-up is very exciting. I am pushing hard at the training camps and it is just a case of waiting for selection and trying to get on one of the tours.

“Everyone in the squad is such a good athlete — I have tried as hard as I can and hope the coaches feel positive about me.

“I want to prove that I can play at that level.”