FLY-HALF Jono Lance says he is “happy” to step aside and let “confident” kicker Chris Pennell keep firing the ball through the posts.

Pennell has taken over the kicking duties for Warriors’ last two Aviva Premiership games while Lance has struggled with a persistent toe problem.

The Australian playmaker said he had overcome the issue but insisted he did not feel the need to take the responsibility off Pennell who landed three penalties in Worcester’s 18-14 defeat to Sale Sharks.

“I have not been able to get as much practice as I would like to get in but at the same time Chris has been kicking pretty well,” Lance said.

“When somebody is hitting them as well as he is at the moment I am pretty happy to let him continue to kick.”

Pennell emerged as Warriors’ main marksman in the 2013-14 season and almost steered his side to safety.

But the 30-year-old believes he is in a better space mentally as he bids to fire Worcester to a crucial win over relegation rivals London Irish at Sixways on Friday (7.45pm).

“I have always tried to keep ticking over with my goal-kicking,” Pennell said.

“Jono was struggling a bit leading into the Leicester so I was needed more through necessity than anything else.

“But I enjoy it and quite like the challenge.

“If I am kicking well then I will keep going. If I am not then we will probably look to bring Jono back in to take the reins again.

“I would not say I am a regular goal-kicker but I am a few years older from when I was back in 2014.

“I don’t worry too much about the pressure now whereas before I could get quite nervous.

“Goal-kicking is all in the head and I think I am in a much better place mentally.

“I am happy and confident.”