FLANKER Sam Betty will put his birthday celebrations on hold for Worcester Warriors’ European Challenge Cup trip to face Zebre in Italy tomorrow (2pm GMT).

Betty, who turned 29 yesterday, will reach the milestone of 100 first-team appearances for Worcester at Parma.

Betty has made just one Premiership appearance this term but was a key player last season as Warriors clinched promotion.

The former Cornish Pirates back row played 80 minutes in Worcester’s 19-3 victory over French Top 14 outfit La Rochelle last Saturday.

“I have only come off the bench in one game in the Premiership so far and the standard is pretty high but we definitely know we can compete,” said Betty.

“There’s probably not as big a gap between the top of the Championship and the Premiership as most people imagined. You get a few teams, like Saracens, who are pretty special on their day but we believe we can compete with most of the sides in the top tier.”

Bristol-born Betty says his first competitive game for Warriors after joining the Sixways club in 2011 was at Saracens.

“I came off the bench there and it was good to get thrown in at the deep end,” he said.

“Since then, there have been good times and, of course, some bad times like when we were relegated from the Premiership.

“But last season it was awesome to get promoted the way we did.

“It was a pretty crazy finish against Bristol. I have never experienced a game like that before. It was a great feeling to come out on top and there were a couple of heavy nights afterwards.

“The play-off final second leg is a match I will always remember and, in my first year at Worcester, we had a couple of good wins on Friday nights so there have been good moments.

“This year has been great so far so I am on a bit of a high at the moment.”

Betty is battling to force his way into Worcester’s Premiership starting XV but knows he must make the most of his cup chances.

“As a rugby player, you want to be playing so it can be frustrating when you’re not playing,” said Betty.

“I have had a couple of run-outs and the fact we’re doing well is the main thing.

“The back row is a very competitive area so you don’t expect to play every game.”

Betty said the side were pleased to complete a comfortable victory over La Rochelle on a frustrating afternoon.

“It was probably one of those games to forget and one, that perhaps in the past, we might have lost,” he said.

Italian outfit Zebre play in the Pro12 and opened their Euro campaign with a 23-10 defeat at holders Gloucester.

“I don’t know too much about Zebre,” Betty admitted. “I played in Parma a few years ago but it wasn’t against Zebre, it was against a different side.

“I am happy to be reaching 100 appearances for Worcester because it’s a good achievement.

“I came to Worcester from Cornish Pirates when I was just 24. It was a big step-up for me but I definitely think I’ve improved my game.”