CAPTAIN Donncha O’Callaghan admitted relegation from the Aviva Premiership would tarnish his “legacy” at Worcester Warriors.

The veteran lock, who has made 52 appearances for Warriors, is expected to hang up his boots at the end of this season as he looks to focus on family life.

But with Worcester hovering just above the drop zone O’Callaghan said he would struggle to forgive himself if he failed to steer his side to safety in what looks set to be his final season.

“Everyone would say the same, but it is completely different for me as it’s a legacy issue,” said the 38-year-old on the spectre of relegation.

“It’s being able to look guys like Ted Hill and Andrew Kitchener in the eyes and know that you have left the place in a better spot for them.

“I probably won’t taste success with Worcester, but you remember the guys who make sacrifices.

“In my time at Munster I will not forget guys like Jim Williams, Dominic Crotty, Mick Galwey, and Peter Clohessy.

“They never won a Heineken Cup medal, but achieved an environment and changed a culture so that we could.

“That’s what you need sometimes as you need guys to go before and set a platform for younger guys to know what good is.”

Warriors climbed off the bottom of the league with a 30-15 victory over Northampton Saints at Sixways last Saturday.

But they are only one point above London Irish who claimed a losing bonus point in a 22-18 defeat to Bath.

Worcester travel to Leicester Tigers on Saturday (3pm).

“All of us are frustrated by the position we are in, but we know we can put it right,” O’Callaghan said.

“I have been involved in teams that have been massively successful and you think they’re pressure moments, but there is nothing like sitting down at the bottom.

“It’s incredibly tough and draining on everyone involved.”

O’Callaghan joined Warriors in September 2015 after 17 seasons and more than 270 games for Munster. The influential second row has also racked up 94 caps for Ireland and featured for the British and Irish Lions.

But O’Callaghan is considering bringing the curtain down on his long career.

“I am out of contract in May and then I have got to make a decision,” said O’Callaghan on his future.

“Whereas before I would priorities rugby I am prioritising being a father from May.

“I love rugby, it’s been brilliant to me as it has carved me out as a person.

“But I love my family more and need to be around them.

“If you were to ask me whether May 5 was the last time I would play a rugby match I would be very sad to think that it would be as I feel great body-wise.

“If you chat to the lads my numbers are still good. I still love it, but it’s just trying to get the balancing act on priorities and over the last two years I have seen what really matters so I need to be there (for my family).”