POWERFUL forward Will Spencer can “drive on” and achieve recognition at international level, according to Worcester Warriors skipper Donncha O’Callaghan.

The experienced former Ireland and British and Irish Lions lock has been hugely impressed with second row partner in Warriors’ fight for Aviva Premiership survival.

Oxford-born Spencer has played 12 times for the club after overcoming a troublesome back problem.

Spencer’s tackling and ball-carrying skills have shone through and he grabbed his first try for Warriors in their crucial 41-24 victory against Bristol.

“Will is great and Daz (Darren Barry) is another top player and there are others who are out of the squad looking in,” said O’Callaghan, who played 94 Tests for Ireland.

“We need competition for places across the board and we need everyone scrapping and pulling the same way.

“If we can make the second row the most competitive position in the squad then that’s a very positive thing.”

O’Callaghan, who turns 38 later this month, added: “I hope Will drives on and has success with England. You get that recognition from being consistently good.”

Spencer joined Warriors in the summer after an injury-hit spell at Bath, a club he forged a good relationship with Gary Gold, who has since arrived at Sixways.

“My last 18 months at Bath were blighted by my shoulder and bad injuries and the longer you’re injured the further down the pecking order you go,” said Spencer, whose family live in Portsmouth.

“It’s a top club and I would like to think if I was fit for longer I could have fought for my place.

“But I am more than happy I moved on and I think Worcester was a great choice for me. I am loving being at the club and it has given me an opportunity to play rugby regularly.”

Spencer, 24, made his Warriors debut against Newport Gwent Dragons in the European Challenge Cup in December and gradually built up his fitness levels.

He has played the full 80 minutes in all four Premiership matches under Gold.

“You need to be playing regularly for your fitness and you get better the more you play,” said Spencer.

“The more I am playing the more I am building and Crossy (Simon Cross) will tell me what more he wants in defence and Sammy (Sam Vesty) in attack and Hoggy (Carl Hogg) with all the line-outs and Gary with his input as well.”

He added: “I had a really good relationship with Gary at Bath.

“He’s a top bloke and gets the best out of players and everyone has bought into his ethos.

“He said whatever happens, regardless of the score, he will be happy if we can come back into the dressing room after 80 minutes and look around the team and be proud of what we put out and what we gave each other.

“He can deal with mistakes and losing games but he can’t deal with boys not putting in 100 per cent effort and commitment.”