ENERGETIC loose forward Matti Williams is delighted to have been unleashed from set-piece responsibilities and given the freedom to express himself.

After six years of trying to learn the dark arts of the scrum and how to perfect his lineout throw as a hooker Williams is back in his favoured position at flanker and is loving every minute of it.

The South African-born player will line up in the number seven shirt tomorrow when Worcester Warriors visit Saracens in the Premiership Cup and has vowed to bring “oodles of energy” to the side.

“It is difficult (to make a positional change) but it is easier for me to move from hooker where you have got more responsibilities, like throwing and scrummaging,” Williams said.

“Now I have just got to play the game. I really enjoy it at a lot more as I’ve got the freedom to express myself.”

Williams grew up playing as a back rower before being switched to the front row when at Northampton Saints.

The 27-year-old said he put his “heart and soul” into making the transition as he aimed to climb up the hooker pecking order at Saints and then Worcester.

But when Warriors chief Alan Solomons told him he reckoned his skills were better suited in the back row Williams “grabbed the opportunity with both hands”.

“I thought I could probably get ahead in my career by moving to hooker because I am not the tallest of guys so lineout options aren’t great for me,” he said.

“I tried my luck but now I am back at flanker which is exciting. You handle the ball a bit more so you are freer.”

With previous Warriors coaches using him in both positions Williams, who arrived at Sixways in 2016, struggled to nail down a place in the team.

Last season saw Williams make just three outings and he appeared to be on his way out until July when Worcester announced he had agreed a one-year extension.

But he admitted his talks with “straight-shooter” Solomons over his future were “always based on staying” and competing for the openside flanker spot.

“It was a bit stop-start (last season),” Williams said. “I got a few injuries and was struggling at hooker.

“My throwing wasn’t as accurate as it should have been, I broke my hand and had a few other injuries.

“I have a clear mind being back at flanker and am enjoying rugby and everything about this season which is going well.”

Williams produced a man-of-the-match showing in Worcester’s European Challenge Cup victory over Ospreys last month but knows he has got a lot of work to do to get into the Premiership side.

“Sammy Lewis, Marco Mama, Ted Hill, GJ (van Velze) — the list goes on,” said Williams on the competition for places in the back row.

“Those guys are excellent so it is my job to put pressure on them and be the best that I can be.

“That’s the goal (to play in the Premiership) but for now it’s about attacking every training session and letting the rest take care of itself.

“I am a very energetic person so I like to bring oodles of energy.

“Hopefully that transgresses onto the field and when I play I try to make a difference no matter what that is.”