WORCESTER Warriors lock Christian Scotland-Williamson admits he was “quite flattered” to be compared with England and Northampton Saints star Courtney Lawes.

The Warriors player insists he watches a host of Aviva Premiership players in the second row and is “excited about what lies ahead”.

“People compared me to Courtney Lawes during my time in the Championship, which was quite flattering,” said Scotland-Williamson, who has returned to action after a two-year injury lay-off.

“I try to watch as much rugby as possible to see what other guys in my position are doing.

“I don’t think there is one player I can pinpoint to say he is the exactly the player I want to be because each player is different.

"I am just a fan of the position.”

Scotland-Williamson spent two years out of competitive action with a serious back injury but is now battling for a starting spot in Worcester’s team in the top tier of English rugby.

“The last year has flown by because I have been so busy and going to the University of Birmingham to take a course in international business was the best decision I made because it kept my grey matter engaged,” he said.

The 23-year-old forward made his Premiership debut in Warriors’ 35-3 defeat against European champions Saracens on the opening weekend of the new season.

“I made my LV= Cup debut at home to Leicester Tigers while I was still at university and I think I experienced the same emotions in that Twickenham game,” he recalled.

“When you are in the heat of battle you don’t think about all the peripheral things,” he recalled.

“I forgot that I had been out for two years and it didn’t matter what had been done in the past – it was all put to bed.

“It was for me to prove to myself that I could play at the top level of English rugby.

“Even if it’s for one or two moments a game the fact they are there means I can build on them.”

The promising second-row forward has been working hard with forwards coach Mefin Davies and head coach Carl Hogg.

“Mefin is a calming and reassuring influence and he’s one of my mentors,” said Scotland-Williamson.

“I review all my games with him and we set three small targets for each week to work on to build into the following week and that’s been amazing.

“I am very happy where I am now and happy to be back playing.

“I am more excited about what lies ahead.”

Hogg says it’s important Scotland-Williamson “finds his feet” and gets back into the flow of playing.

“Christian hasn’t played a huge amount of rugby,” said Hogg.

“He had a back operation which left him out of the game for a significant period of time.

“We have done certain elements of learning with videos and cameras and tried to upskill him away from the game without physically exposing him in games.”

Hogg added: “The best way to learn and develop is by playing week in week out and that’s where you hone your game and learn your trade.

“That’s something which Christian has missed out on in the last two years and we need to fast-track him around that.”