THE home of English rugby evokes proud memories for Worcester Warriors’ centre Jackson Willison.

And the New Zealand-born back will hope Warriors can defy the odds at Twickenham in their Aviva Premiership opener against defending champions Saracens a week tomorrow (2pm).

Willison crossed the try-line at Twickenham in a Help for Heroes match for the Southern Hemisphere in a 36-22 triumph over the Northern Hemisphere in 2011 in front of almost 30,000 fans.

He recalled: “I played at Twickenham a few years ago and really enjoyed the experience. Facing Saracens at Twickenham in the first game is a good start for us.

“We have been working hard and there’s no better way than to start the campaign at the famous stadium.

“It could have been an easier fixture but, to me, there’s not a better challenge than playing against the best team in England and at the top stadium. It’s very easy to get excited about.”

Saracens, who won the European Champions Cup last term, thrashed Warriors 48-18 at Twickenham last November.

The London giants completed a league double with a 43-19 triumph in the final Sixways match played on grass.

Willison said: “I haven’t played a lot on artificial pitches but, from all the feedback, they seem pretty good and we have a new surface at Sixways to play a high-speed game on.”

The 28-year-old arrived at Warriors this summer after two seasons at French Top 14 outfit Grenoble.

He previously played for Chiefs and Blues in Super Rugby and made five appearances for New Zealand under 20s.

But Willison admits he put his aspirations to wear the All Blacks shirt to one side when he chose to play in Europe.

“I have put the All Blacks out of my mind,” he said.

“It’s important to have goals and it’s now not necessarily to wear the black jersey but to be the best person I can be.

“I am still proud to see the All Blacks and all their success but I suppose I left that dream behind when I left New Zealand because they only select players who play in the country.

“I now find myself on the other side of the world.

“I am still good friends with some of the lads in the set-up. Liam Messam was a big inspiration when I was coming through and we still keep in touch.”

Willison believes he can improve as player and wants to help Warriors build on their 10th-placed finish in the Premiership last term.

“I have always thought I could improve my rugby and I am really looking forward to getting behind the team,” he said.

“One of my main strengths on the field is my communication skills and hopefully people will be able to hear me screaming out instructions to my team-mates.

“We have the players and set-up to improve on last season’s finish.

“I managed to catch a bit of the Premiership last season and was impressed with what I saw from Worcester.

“The impact of (Francois) Hougaard was huge and he brought something I will be striving for.”