IT WAS the biggest game of the season to date and he was billed as one of the biggest players.

Nick Baxter's photograph was even featured in the Headingley programme but while the 22 warmed up for the game on the outfield of the adjacent cricket field he was stood forlornly in the stands.

Worcester had taken a squad of 23 to the shoot-out at the summit of Premiership Two but only 22 would get a shirt - Baxter was the one to miss out.

The club's try king who had smashed records two seasons ago was not to play a part in one of the biggest game's in the club's history. He had missed out to Rob Myler and Mat Walker.

"It was tough to take at the time but my form wasn't particularly good so Mat and Rob deserved their chance," said Baxter. "It just made me determined to bounce back and come back a little bit stronger. But it wasn't a career low, they come when you have lost control because you're injured unfit and unable to do anything about it.

"In my case I wasn't playing well and it was my fault."

Few in Premiership Two have better CVs than Baxter's so a set-back like that is hard to take.

Two seasons ago he set the record of tries in a season of national league rugby with 29, despite a lengthy injury absence.

He scored five at Otley, another record, and until last season maintained a run which saw him score in every other game he played for Worcester.

His achievements began to make others take notice and in September last year came his proudest moment when he flew to Kuala Lumpur to play in the Commonwealth Games sevens tournament for England.

But nothing stands still in sport, records are there to be broken and reputations can count for nothing.

Paul Holford and Simon Morris may have left this season but Baxter still faces formidable competition to make the starting line-up.

Rob Myler has had more than his fair share of injuries since joining Worcester just over two years ago but has shown good form since breaking back into the team.

And anyone who saw Mat Walker's display for Rotherham at Sixways last season will know he has huge talent to more than make-up for his slight frame.

Yet Baxter is back on top of the try scoring charts and showing the lethal finishing which has propelled his career.

In the six leagues game since Leeds Baxter has scored five tries, including a double at Blundellsands against Waterloo.