WATCHING the Ridley Scott epic Gladiator for the first time in two years inspired lock Will Spencer for his long-awaited Worcester Warriors debut.

The former Bath second row played 60 minutes in Worcester’s 33-20 victory against Newport Gwent Dragons at Sixways.

The victory kept alive Warriors’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup.

Warriors are now third in Pool Three after table-topping Brive won 43-8 at Enisei-STM and travel to Dragons in the return fixture on Friday (7.30pm).

“I used to have a ritual of watching the film Gladiator every Friday night before a Saturday game and I hadn’t watched it for two years,” revealed Spencer, 24.

“But I got the film back out on Friday night and it was a really nice feeling to watch it.

“I don’t think I had played for 720 days. I left my previous club Bath due to circumstances and I didn’t have a club to go to. I came to Warriors and then got an injury in pre-season.

“It has been a long, tough road and I enjoyed the little things like the buzz in the changing room and the noise from the crowd because you can’t replicate those things in the gym or in training."

Spencer admitted he was “very nervous” for the first 15 minutes of his comeback match before easing into the contest.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous in the opening 10 to 15 minutes,” said Spencer.

“I was very nervous because it had been a long time since I last played and I was almost feeling my way into the game.

“But the longer it went on, the more confident I got and it felt easier.

“At the end of the first half and at beginning of the second half, I got my hands on the ball which is what I love to do.

“I love to run with the ball and get over the gain-line and I was able to do that a few times.”

The big forward revealed he sustained his “freak” back injury during Worcester’s pre-season camp in Tignes.

“I had been out for quite a while before I came to Worcester with a nasty shoulder problem but I came to the club in the summer fully fit with the shoulder feeling great,” he said.

“I really enjoyed pre-season and everything was going well and I was looking forward to my first hit out against Clermont until I was struck by a freak back injury.

“You don’t realise how much you use your back until you damage it and I knew I couldn’t run, which was frustrating.

“The injury was a bit more complicated than we first hoped. The physiotherapists were great and I have been training and running around for a few weeks.”

Spencer added: “You miss playing when you are constantly watching from the stands and it was great to be back.

“I used to feel like I had been hit by a truck after games so I know I will feel sore this week. Hopefully I will be in the plans for Friday night's return match with Dragons at Rodney Parade.”