POWERFUL forward Anton Bresler will be looking to prove he is an able replacement for Will Spencer when he gets “stuck in” against Dragons at Rodney Parade tonight (7.30pm).

The Anglo-Welsh Cup clash will see the 6ft 6in lock make his first start for Worcester Warriors since his arrival from Edinburgh in late December.

Warriors’ fans were left up in arms when it was announced last week Spencer would be leaving the club in the summer to join Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers.

But Bresler who revealed he had signed a deal until the end of the 2019/20 campaign felt he had “very similar” attributes to the lock.

And the 29-year-old will be keen to show what he’s made of when Warriors tackle Dragons in their final Pool Three game.

“It will be sad to see Spencer leave but it opens up new opportunities for myself and the younger locks here,” Bresler said.

“Will enjoys calling lineouts a lot more than I do so I am not keen on that part of the game.

“But otherwise I think we are very similar.

“Will is a big, physical man and I enjoy getting stuck in.

“I know I am not a flashy player so there is no use me trying to run in the back-line and do all the fancy stuff.

“But I like scrummaging, mauling and doing the odd carry.”

Bresler played for the Sharks in South Africa between 2011 and 2014 before moving to Scotland in 2014.

The Namibian-born second row made 61 appearances for Edinburgh, helping them to the European Challenge Cup final in 2015.

But Bresler said he pounced on the opportunity to join Warriors and link back up with director of rugby Alan Solomons.

“Solly was the one that got me to Edinburgh so I know that he has got confidence in me and I like him as a person and a coach,” Bresler said.

“He is very stern and straight forward and I feel that’s something the team needs.

“My time at Edinburgh was coming to an end and I saw an opportunity with Solly.

“I told my agent to get in contact with Worcester, the opportunity came up and I decided to take it.

“I know David Denton and Nick Schonert quite well and they told me it was a brilliant set-up which I have seen in the last few weeks.

“It has been a really enjoyable change.”

Following his arrival Bresler has had to bide his time before making his debut in Warriors’ 31-21 win over Exeter Chiefs last Saturday.

But he will now get another chance to press his case for a regular place with Pierce Phillips and Spencer recovering from ankle injuries.

“I want to be involved every week,” Bresler added.

“I want to contribute to the team and make sure I am playing my best rugby.”