YOUNG Gun Neil Mason admitted he had been stunned by his first league start for Worcester but rose to the challenge with a stirring display.

The 20-year-old flanker put in a performance which belied his inexperience at that level and capped it with a try before half time.

"I was really shocked when John Brain told me," he said. "I thought I might be on the bench like the weekend before but I didn't expect to start. I was delighted and I hope I've done OK today."

Mason is part of a growing band of academy players who are beginning to break through into the first team. Ben Hughes and Jon Higgins also played in the 71-14 win over Otley and for Mason, the youth policy embraced by Brain is a major plus.

"To play in the first team, I think, means more to the academy lads because they've been part of the club for a while. The feeling in the academy now is that we've got a chance under John and Andy Keast. There is a lot of talent in the academy and the under-19s so there is more to come I think.

"Nobody ever had a chance before of breaking into the first team before John Brain. Things have really changed and there is now hope for the younger players who feel if they perform, they will get a chance.

"I hope I've made the most of mine today and I'm pleased with the performance. I felt as if I got better as the game went on and the try was just a bonus."