WORCESTER Warriors full-back Ben Howard is working on his kicking skills — but he hasn’t taken shots at goal since he was at school.

The 21-year-old believes he’s making progress with his out-of-hand-kicks after help from former England fly-half Paul Grayson.

“I have been able to get greater distances with my kicks which I wasn’t doing so well last year,” said Howard.

“Paul has been coming in and helping us with that — and it’s great to have someone to work with like him. My own kicking and everyone else’s kicking is improving.”

Howard has played the last three matches after Chris Pennell suffered a groin injury, which has now required surgery, Ignacio Mieres and youngster Tiff Eden have carried out the place-kicking duties in Pennell’s absence, while head coach Carl Hogg says Ryan Lamb is making good progress after a neck operation.

Howard said: “I used to place-kick at school but I haven’t done any place-kicking recently.

“When you get to a more professional level, the fly-half tends to do more of the kicking than the full-back.

“It would be nice to get back into it – but that would be something I would have to do behind the scenes before I bring it into matches.

“I have been doing a lot of work on kicking out of hand and I think that’s definitely been a big improvement this year. I have been able to make bigger returns.”

Howard says he is feeling more comfortable with his place in the Warriors’ first team this season.

“I was at the club last year and, because there are a lot of new faces who have come to Sixways, I feel a bit more established in the whole set-up,” he said.

“A lot of the younger guys are much closer to my age and, on and off the pitch, I feel much more comfortable with all the guys around me.”

He added: “I didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season because Chris Pennell stayed injury-free and played so well. It’s unfortunate that Chris is injured at the moment but it has given me a chance to play a few matches.”