VERSATILE forward Matti Williams has been challenged to prove himself in his “preferred position” at flanker this season after being handed a new deal by Worcester Warriors.

Williams has been a peripheral figure at Warriors since joining from Northampton Saints in 2016 but secured a one-year contract extension earlier this month.

During his time at Sixways the 26-year-old has made fleeting appearances at hooker and in the back row as Warriors’ coaches saw him as an option for both roles.

But director of rugby Alan Solomons appears to have taken a liking to Williams at flanker and believes he can provide competition in that position.

“Loose forward is a very attritional position so this will give us an opportunity to have a look at Matti there and see how he tracks,” Solomons said.

“His versatility definitely helps him. The fact that he has the ability to play hooker is very useful, there is no doubt about that.

“But this is a chance for him to play in probably his preferred position.”

Former head coach Carl Hogg once described Williams as a “long-term project” at Warriors and previously Northampton tried to convert him into a hooker.

But with Jack Singleton, Niall Annett, Joe Taufete’e, Isaac Miller and academy ace Beck Cutting all challenging for the number two jersey Solomons does not see Williams featuring in the front row next season.

“When Matti was at Northampton he was played a lot as an open-side flanker,” Solomons said.

“They were trying to convert him.

“In fairness to Northampton it was also difficult for them because they had shortages (at hooker) and needed him to play there.

“Over here we have got really good hookers in Singo who has come through from the academy, Joe and Niall who is back from injury now.

“It has been difficult for Matti here because when you make that change you need to be playing week in week out in that position.”

In the past two seasons Williams has made just two starts and featured off the bench on 12 occasions.

Williams made two showings at hooker in October but since then he has been used as a back row replacement as he came on for the remaining 10 minutes of Worcester’s memorable 6-5 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in February.

And Solomons reckons Williams will only get better the more minutes he plays as Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy proved during his spell at Worcester between 2013 and 2015.

“(Former Worcester captain) Jonathan Thomas spoke to me about when Creevy was here,” Solomons said.

“He said his throwing in at the line-out was not the finest but because he played every week he got better and better and is now a great international.

“The point I am making is that you need to play week in week out and Matti hasn’t really had that opportunity — and there is good reason for that.

“Now this (season) will give him an opportunity to really challenge in his natural position.”