A VISIT from the star-studded Barbarians proved a major low for Worcester Warriors back-row forward Carl Kirwan.

The former London Welsh skipper admits he had an “horrific” game against the famous travelling side in his first home match in Warriors colours.

Kirwan was hauled off at the interval, with Warriors trailing 28-14, and replaced by Marco Mama.

The end-to-end friendly ended in a high-scoring 43-35 defeat for Warriors with Baa-Baas wing Dom Shipperley racking up a hat-trick of tries.

“The Barbarians game was a tough game,” recalled the Durham-born flanker.

“We had had a trip abroad to France and then I played in the Baa-Baas game and had a pretty horrific game.

“Unfortunately for me that performance stuck with Dean Ryan a bit longer than most coaches.”

He also suffered a blow against his former club Newcastle Falcons last March when he was dropped by then director of rugby Ryan for the clash at Kingston Park, which Warriors won 15-14.

The friendly against the Barbarians, who featured future Warrior Wynand Olivier, was 13 months ago.

Kirwan is now relishing the challenge under head coach Carl Hogg.

Kirwan missed the start of the season after a clash of heads in Warriors’ warm-up defeat at Irish outfit Munster.

“I struggled in pre-season with concussion and Marco came in and, like all of the back row, he played really well,” said Kirwan.

"I collided with Alafoti Fa’osiliva, took a hit on the eye socket and lost a bit of sight.

“I was stretchered off on a spinal board as a precaution from our doctor and had a couple of weeks out. But it seems fine.

“Studies done on concussion have proven there can be long-lasting effects with concussion so you have to be careful and not rush back.”

After regaining his fitness, Kirwan seized his starting chance and feels comfortable in Warriors’ structures.

The 25-year-old flanker, who started his career in Newcastle’s academy, has already played four times in the Aviva Premiership this term.

Kirwan is determined to eclipse the 10 league appearances last season in which he grabbed two tries.

“Hoggy has been really loyal, open and honest and I am enjoying playing for him and hopefully I will get a few good games together,” said Kirwan.

“I have had a couple of good games but we have so much strength and depth in the back-row that anyone can come in and perform.

“At this level you have to be comfortable in the structures. If you are a weak link, you can mess the whole thing up.

“We work a lot with Simon Cross (defence coach) and he likes certain people making decisions and other people slotting into the structure.”