WORCESTER Warriors playmaker Ryan Mills admitted he felt “a bit rusty” at fly-half but said he would be “happy” to remain a back-up option.

Mills marked his first outing in the number 10 jersey since September 2017 with a last-gasp drop goal in last Saturday’s 20-18 victory at Ospreys in the European Challenge Cup.

The 26-year-old spent much of the 2016-17 season operating at stand-off but has since established himself as Warriors’ first-choice inside centre.

“I would rather play at 12 but I can’t complain as we won so happy days,” said Mills after his showing at fly-half.

“I was a bit rusty as I haven’t played there for about a year-and-a-half but I am happy to cover there if I need to.

“I don’t really get too much choice over it. I don’t pick the team but Solly (Alan Solomons, director of rugby) and I have had loads of conversations.

“I am happy to do whatever it takes for the team.”

Mills’ return to fly-half comes after injuries to Jamie Shillcock (knee) and Jono Lance (back) who are both expected to come back next month.

The Exeter-born back also captained the side against Ospreys in the absence of Gerrit-Jan van Velze.

Head coach Rory Duncan said: “There was (a lot of responsibility on him).

“But it was not his first time leading the team and it was not his first time as a 10.

“He was more than capable.

“With Jono being out and Shilly going down as well it is great to have someone like Millsy who can back them up.”

Mills and scrum-half Jonny Arr both occupied deeper roles at the Liberty Stadium to counter Ospreys’ kicking game and Duncan felt it paid off.

“Especially in the second half our game management was really good,” Duncan said.

“When the space was on we took it but when it wasn’t we pushed Ospreys into the backfield.

“I was really impressed with our patience in the kicking game.”

Mills felt it was a “scrappy” match but reckoned Worcester got their tactics spot on as his drop goal with eight seconds left sealed Warriors’ place in the quarter-finals.

“We knew they were a good defensive side that get off the line well and try to put you under pressure which they did at times,” Mills said.

“I think 80 per cent of their tries come from the first three phases so we wanted to shut them down at the set-piece and give them minimal entries into our half.

“We were trying to kick the ball long, stay in that kicking game and get back in their half.

“In the first half we didn’t quite execute that but in the second half we were much more clinical and took our opportunities when they came.

“We knew it was going to be tough.

“Ospreys have only lost once at home all season and we knew they would put out a really strong team to try to win and get qualified.

“We spoke all week about it being a good challenge for the boys to put their hand up for selection and I felt everyone did that.

“It was scrappy and there is a lot to work on but that win gives us good momentum and keeps us at the top of the pool.”