DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan admits Worcester Warriors’ scrum is likely to be thrust into the spotlight during their pre-season campaign.

The newly-promoted Aviva Premiership club were second best in the set-piece in their 45-33 defeat against the Barbarians at Sixways seven days ago.

New signing Na’ama Leleimalefaga was joined in front row by hooker Dan George and prop Joe Rees who suffered an early head injury, while Dan Sanderson and Darren O’Shea made up the front five.

But Warriors’ scrum creaked under intense pressure from Barbarians' pack which included former New Zealand stars Carl Hayman and Ali Williams.

“We were up against the likes of Hayman and the players saw what it looked like against top opposition,” said Ryan. “That area framed the game because we couldn’t really get any ball from there.

“It’s not going to be the last time the scrum becomes a feature for us over the next few weeks but, as long as it’s something we recognise and keep working at, we can get better at it.

“We were well beaten in the set-piece against the Baa-Baas but there’s a reason why Hayman and Williams have been at the top of the game."

Warriors’ players have had a break from training this week and will be returning to prepare for their next warm-up match against Midlands rivals Wasps at Sixways on September 26.

The Worcester squad is likely to be more experienced with skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Jonathan Thomas and Sam Betty all rested against the Baa-Baas.

Max Stelling was one player Ryan believes learned from the match against the Baa-Baas.

The centre made his first appearance since pulling a hamstring in Worcester’s 30-26 defeat against Bristol in the final game of the regular Championship season in April.

“Max got lost a little bit at times,” admitted Ryan. “It was a classic case of having a little more experience under your belt.

“We know the ability of Max and he just needs to be able to hold his feet in bigger games against better players and it was an opportunity for him to keep working at it.

“His ability on the ball is probably second to none and he just needs to learn more about the game to make sure he’s stood in the right place at the right time."