TIGHTHEAD prop James Johnston featured for 71 minutes against Gloucester – his longest outing since arriving at Worcester Warriors.

The 30-year-old Samoa international produced his best display for Warriors after Nick Schonert was ruled out of last Friday’s derby with an elbow injury.

The former Saracens and Harlequins prop was involved with Samoa’s Pacific Cup campaign over the summer after making 13 Aviva Premiership appearances for Warriors last term.

Auckland-born Johnston arrived at Worcester in January after failing to make a first-team appearance in an injury-hit spell at Wasps.

“James won the Premiership with Quins so there’s always potential for James and it’s about getting him fit and in the groove,” said Warriors head coach Carl Hogg.

“He went away and played in the Pacific Cup in the summer and he came back with us and had a re-integration phase.

“The focus then turns to matches and how you perform in matches and a tighthead’s job is to scrum and anything over and above scrummaging is a bonus.

“First and foremost you must know your primary job and I thought James did his primary job fantastically well last week.”

Johnston was replaced by rookie Mike Daniels for the closing states of Warriors’ 23-23 draw against the Cherry and Whites.

The opportunity for Johnston has arisen because Warriors have been plagued by injuries for their second season in the top flight.

England squad centre Ben Te’o (concussion), skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze (concussion), Chris Pennell (neck), wing Bryce Heem (knee) and lock Will Spencer (back) are among those on the treatment table.

Hogg admitted it was a “testing time” for Warriors’ but said the injuries had given young players a chance.

“You would love to pick your senior players for every game and this time is a testing time for us,” said Hogg.

“But it does create opportunities for the likes of Dean Hammond and there will be opportunities over the next couple of weeks for others."

Hogg added: “We have always said this place was about growth. Can we make a Hammond a fully integrated Premiership player who can play week in week out? He’s got his chance and he’s played extremely well."