JONNY Arr insists there is no need for Worcester to scour the globe for a world-class scrum-half — because he is the man to fill the club’s number nine shirt.
The confident 21-year-old is looking to nail down his place as first-choice behind the Warriors pack in rival Ryan Powell’s injury-enforced absence.
And, not only is the former RGS Worcester pupil adamant he can be Mike Ruddock’s number one, he is certain the club need not look elsewhere for a big name half-back import.
The Sixways academy graduate impressed in tough conditions during the 16-16 draw at second-placed London Irish and is hoping to kick on against Connacht in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
He said: “It’s a big blow for Ryan as he’s been the number one choice and has been doing a good job for the boys.
“I’ve got a little look-in now and hopefully I can take this chance and go from there —it’s out of my control really, I just have to go out there and do a job on the pitch.
“I want to give the best performances I can while Ryan is injured and try and give Mike a bit of a selection headache for when Ryan comes back into training.
“I may not have a great amount of time in which to do that, which puts a bit more pressure on me, but I’m enjoying it.”
British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Blair is the latest in a long line of number nines to be linked to Warriors, although Ruddock has denied there has been any contact with the Edinburgh player.
Although Sixways supporters have bemoaned the lack of top-class talent at scrum-half for years, Arr insists he can bring an end to that.
He explained: “I definitely think I can fill the void at scrum-half. It is something that has been hovering over the club for a while — that they want to get someone in in my position. But the players around me — the likes of Willie Walker at 10 and Chris Latham at 15 — have plenty of experience and are more than capable of making my job a whole lot easier.
“If the fans want the club to bring in a world-class nine, then happy days, but I am confident, with the players I have around me here, I can be the man to play scrum-half for the Warriors.”
Arr was also full of praise for the impact Warriors skills coach, and former fellow scrum-half, Matt Powell has had on his development.
He said: “Matt is always there to look through my games and tell me things I’m doing well and what I’m doing wrong. He is a proven top Premiership scrum-half, so it’s great to have him there giving me advice.
“This year, something he has told me to do is really get hold of the forwards and talk the hell out of them.
“At the end of the day, they will start to respect you if you’re giving them direction. If you can get them on your side and doing what you want, hopefully, they’ll work extra hard to give you the ball.”
If Arr can translate his natural confidence into his style of play, Worcester could well have found the answer to their scrum-half dilemma.
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