JOHN Brain has revealed he tried to keep Scott Barrow at Sixways before his summer switch to Orrell.

Worcester's director of rugby offered the centre a contract to stay at the National One high flyers only for the former St Helens man to turn his back on Sixways.

"We offered Scott a contract," said Brain. "However, Orrell is Scott's home club and we tried very hard to persuade him to stay but the draw of playing for his home-town team proved just too much for him.

"Our terms were favourable -- that wasn't an issue -- but I think Scott's a northern guy and the pier pressure on him from people there was very strong. He didn't figure for us before Andy Keast arrived, but that is something that happens very often when you change a coach.

"Scott also had a few problems with injuries but when he played we could see his quality -- he's a dangerous player -- there's no doubt about that."

Barrow eventually decided to plump for Orrell and lines up against Worcester today in the National One clash hoping to prove a point.

"I've no doubt he'll be looking to prove something," added Brain. "But it is much the same in our camp from Chris Pearson who came to us from Orrell in the summer.

"That is the nature of it and professional sport - they'll both feel they have something to prove against their former clubs.

"We know all about Scott, he's a good player and can be very dangerous. However, it is a 15-man game and we are not just concerned with one player.

"We have heard a lot about Orrell and we will not be taking them lightly because we feel they will finish in the top four this season."