DEAN Ryan says the scrum-half berth battle typifies the healthy competition for places at Worcester Warriors.

Jonny Arr, Charlie Mulchrone and now Jean-Baptiste (JB) Bruzulier have all staked claims for a first-team starting place.

Mulchrone started at number nine in last night’s Greene King IPA Championship match against Bedford Blues at Sixways.

But director of rugby Ryan said: “JB’s leadership has been phenomenal.

“He has captained the Cavaliers in the A-League and the British and Irish Cup team and it really galvanised the group. It epitomised everything we wanted it to be.

“We have gone from Jonny being our established scrum-half to finding Charlie and now JB. I am finding them more game-time.

“Charlie makes Jonny have to break more and Jonny makes Charlie have to pass more smoothly.

“Now JB has come in with a different skill set and does a bit of everything.”

Warriors visit Plymouth Albion next Saturday in the league and Ryan believes his men benefitted from a successful cup spell.

He continued: “I can’t be prouder of the last three weeks with how the group performed.

“The whole approach was to allow everybody a voice and they led the way with some attacking play.

“Getting better isn’t just about spending hours and hours on a training field.

“It’s about giving players an opportunity and a chance for a youngster to kick on. It’s important that team selection is not taken for granted. We must be better at the tail-end of the season and put everything into that.”

Ryan added: “We have a clear idea on what we want from people and so far it’s worked very well in terms of game-time and giving opportunities.

“The players have given an outward message to what this rugby club is about and given us with a base to be a competitive team.”