TALENTED teenager Ollie Lawrence admits it has been “hard” to stay patient as he looks to make his mark for Worcester Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership.

The 19-year-old centre is poised to make his top-flight debut after being selected on the bench for Warriors’ clash at Exeter Chiefs today (3pm).

It has been a memorable 12 months for Lawrence who caught the eye last season with his displays in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and for Worcester Cavaliers.

The academy ace also received a surprise call-up to the England senior squad for a training camp in May.

“It has been pretty surreal being in the situations I have been in,” Lawrence said.

“I have had really good opportunities here and elsewhere which have been good and a real eye-opener so I am looking to keep progressing and moving forward.”

But Lawrence has also learnt to bide his time for a chance in the first team this season as he faces competition from the likes of internationals Francois Venter and Ashley Beck.

“It is hard (to be patient) because as a youngster you just want to play and sometimes you can’t see why you are not playing,” Lawrence said.

“You really do have to just look at the bigger picture and think these boys ahead of you have got years of experience in the bag and at the end of the day that’s what it comes down to.

“At the moment they are going to feed me in and then hopefully I will get my chance.”

Lawrence said he joined Warriors when he was 15 and commended the work of academy boss Chim Gale for helping him through the youth ranks.

The ex-Bromsgrove School student now hopes to follow in the footsteps of Andrew Kitchener, Will Butler and Ted Hill by making the step up to the Premiership.

“It would mean a lot to me (to make my league debut),” Lawrence said.

“Coming through the academy system, the dream is to play first-team rugby.

“Everyone wants to play in the Premiership and I think once I hit that then I will just keep working harder every day to make sure I can sustain (that level).

“In this game you don’t get many opportunities and when you do get them you have to take them.”