FANS’ favourite Matt Cox reckons he can bring an “X-factor” to Worcester Warriors’ back row as he looks to shine in tonight’s Premiership Cup opener against Sale Sharks at Sixways (7.45pm).

After playing just 13 minutes of first-team rugby in the opening six weeks of the season Cox is back in the side and determined to stay there.

The 30-year-old got on the scoresheet in Warriors’ memorable 38-27 victory over Stade Francais in Paris before earning praise from head coach Rory Duncan for his impressive performance in the 27-21 home win over Ospreys last weekend.

While many players who featured in both European Challenge Cup clashes have been rested Cox has retained his place in the starting XV for Worcester’s battle with Sharks.

“I am always disappointed if I am not playing and would have loved to have played more at the start of the season,” said Cox who came through the club’s academy.

“Even if I am on the bench I am disappointed that I'm not starting.

“It is never good enough as I want to play every week.”

Captain Gerrit-van Velze started at number eight for Warriors’ first six Premiership games with Marco Mama, Sam Lewis and Ted Hill regularly featuring in the two flanker slots.

“I do think I have got a different X-factor to some other players,” Cox said.

“But it is about what suits the team and what the coaches like at the current moment.

“I would like to think the coaches know what I am about.”

On the feedback from Warriors’ coaching staff, Cox said: “It has been positive.

“Whether it is work-rate, physicality or confrontation they are the things that I like to be known for and I think they have been coming through.

“On a Thursday or Friday I ask the coaches to give me three things I can be held accountable for so if I do great at them then we can move on.

“If I don’t then why not? So far that has gone well.”

Cox who played at number eight against Stade Francais and Ospreys but will start at blindside flanker when Warriors face Sale also felt his versatility was key.

“I think they had me down as a seven, then played me at eight and now I am in at six so I am all over the place,” Cox said.

“But I will play anywhere to get onto the pitch.

“I enjoy adapting as well and playing in all three roles.

“It’s good for the coaches to have a guy on the bench who can cover and be a like-for-like swap as I enjoy playing anywhere.”

Cox will go up against a weakened Sale side but insists there will be no holding back.

“I don’t look at a game differently so it doesn’t matter who we are up against I treat them all the same,” Cox said.

“It is going to be competitive and confrontational.

“We are at home, this is our ground, so we need to win.”