SCRUM-HALF Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier captained Worcester Warriors to their first piece of silverware in the Dean Ryan era – but believes the European Challenge Cup will be a big step up.

Worcester put aside their disappointment of the Cavaliers losing to Saracens Storm last season in the Aviva A-League final to clinch their maiden British and Irish Cup title at Doncaster in April.

Warriors used last term’s British and Irish Cup campaign to give opportunities to players who were not featuring regularly in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Now director of rugby Dean Ryan has pledged to give “frustrated” players, not featuring in the Aviva Premiership, a chance in tomorrow’s European Challenge Cup opener against La Rochelle at Sixways (3pm).

“Playing for the Cavaliers is great fun and it's great for the youngsters and it helped me a lot last season”, said Bruzulier, who is expected to be in Worcester’s squad for the match.

“I think it’s a great opportunity – but the European competition will be a massive step up compared to the British and Irish Cup.

“Playing against La Rochelle, Zebre and Gloucester will be another step up from last season.

“But I think we have a huge advantage of playing La Rochelle at home first because playing them away is going to be one of the toughest games the boys will play.

“We know what’s coming. La Rochelle have got some big boys and we will have to get the tempo of our game high. I am sure the youngsters will step in.”

He added: “La Rochelle have got experienced players like Ricky Januarie who has got caps for South Africa and they have others with lot of experience. They have a good team and I don’t think they will take the competition lightly.”

Bruzulier has just returned to Sixways after a loan spell with Clermont Auvergne during the World Cup - and he enjoyed his time in France.

The 23-year-old came up against a familiar face in his first outing for Clermont – lock James Percival, who joined Grenoble from Worcester in the summer.

“He’s enjoying his life out in France and it sounds like he will be staying out there,” said Bruzulier, who starred with Percival as Warriors saw off Bristol in the Championship final to book a return to the Aviva Premiership.

“I had a call-up for the Championship semi-final and finals where I thought I did OK and I think that’s pushed me on. I have to keep going and enjoying it and see what happens.”

Despite enjoying his time with French Top 14 club Clermont, Bruzulier knew he would be coming back to Worcester after the World Cup.

With Luke Baldwin injured, Bruzulier is third in the pecking order for the number nine jersey - behind Jonny Arr and Charlie Mulchrone.

“I knew I had a contract at Worcester and, deep down, I wanted to come back and do my thing here until the end of the contract and I don’t know what’s happening after that.”