SCRUM-HALF Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier admits he feared the worst after making a disappointing Championship debut for Worcester Warriors at Plymouth Albion.

The 22-year-old came on at Brickfields as a second-half replacement for Jonny Arr, who took a bang on the shoulder in a turgid 22-10 win at Brickfields in November.

“I think I went down to Plymouth and I was quite confident,” recalled Bruzulier.

“But it was a rubbish game and I played the worst possible game.

“I didn’t step up at all and that knocked my confidence.

“I think that’s why I stayed in the Cavaliers for most of the season.”

Bruzulier realised his first team opportunities in the Championship were limited until injury struck Charlie Mulchrone (broken foot) and Arr was hit by suspension.

After his Brickfields woe, Bruzulier had to wait six months before making a return to Championship duty against London Scottish in the play-off semi-final second leg.

He played a full 80 minutes in Wednesday’s play-off final first leg at Bristol and gave a lively performance at Ashton Gate.

“I have been working on things and, hopefully, I have got my chance to do it and show what I can do.

Bruzulier skippered the Cavaliers to the final of the Aviva A-League which they lost to an impressive Saracens Storm outfit at Sixways in January.

He also led Worcester’s British and Irish Cup squad to an impressive 35-5 victory against Doncaster Knights last month at Castle Park.

“In the A-League final we knew the first 20 minutes were key against Sarries but we didn’t get it right.

“When we stepped up in the British and Irish Cup final we were ahead by 30 points so we realise the importance of starting a game quickly.”

Bruzulier moved to Sixways from Le Pays d'Aix Rugby Club last summer.

He helped Saracens to a runners-up place in the Premiership Sevens Series in 2011 during a spell in north London before moving to the French Pro D2 in 2012.

In the 2013/13 season he trained with French giants Toulon.

He said: “Charlie Mulchrone has been outstanding throughout the season and, so too has Jonny, and they have helped me out a lot.

“We are thankful to those boys for all their hard work throughout the season.

“I have kept pushing and keep trying to succeed and it’s good for us to be prepared for these opportunities when they come along.”

With Mulchrone and Arr not available for Wednesday’s play-off final second leg at Sixways, Baptiste will be shouldering the responsibility in the number nine jersey.

Warwick School pupil, 17-year-old Jamie Shillcock, is only other recognised scrum-half in Worcester’s squad.

“Jonny and Charlie have helped Jamie out loads during the training sessions and he’s stepped up,” said Bruzulier.

“He’s come in from school and is a good guy who is just as good as us.

“He doesn’t look out of place.

“I think he stepped up massively and he knows what he’s got to do.

“It’s not an easy thing to step up to the first team at Worcester especially the finals but I cam see that Jamie stepped up and has got a bright future in the game.”

Shillcock took a history A-level examination on the day of Warriors’ first leg clash at Bristol and director of rugby Dean Ryan says the youngster is enjoying himself.

Ryan said: “The lad will be stronger for what is going to happen. The lad is going to enjoy himself and it will kick-start his career as a Worcester Warrior, which is great news.

“The boys know what he’s going through. He’s fitted in and the boys have done a great job. They understand what sits around him. If he has to come on after a minute, then that’s what he will do.”