THE prospect of winning silverware was one of the reasons tighthead prop Nick Schonert didn’t have to think too hard about committing his future to Worcester Warriors.

The highly-rated scrummager feels he’s “part of something” at Warriors and has a “great relationship” with head coach Carl Hogg.

Schonert believes Hogg will guide Warriors to “good places” and didn’t want to “miss out” on the club achieving major honours.

Warriors are still seeking their first win of the season and host Newcastle Falcons in a vital home clash on Sunday (3pm).

The 25-year-old said: “Rugby is a business but it’s also a business for me.

“There’s no amount of money or anything that can be better than having piece of mind.

“I feel I am a part of something at Worcester and I don’t want to leave.

“There are opportunities – I know a load of boys who have left  but regret having left.”

South African-born Schonert has been one of Warriors' stand-out performers during his first two seasons at the club.

After joining from Super Rugby side Cheetahs in the summer of 2014, Schonert has become an ever-present in the Warriors side, having started 43 of his 44 appearances.

“I really enjoy Worcester,” said Schonert.

“I have great friends and good relationships with the coaches, a great relationship with Hoggy (Carl Hogg) and I see him taking this club to good places. I don’t want to miss out.

“Obviously, it would be nice to go and sit in the South of France but I just want to be part of something.

“I want to look back in 10 years and say 'I was a part of Worcester when we eventually held up the European Trophy and I was there when we won the Premiership'."

The prop previously played for Sharks at under 19s and 21s level and made five appearances for South Africa under 20s, featuring in the 2011 Junior World Championship.

However, he’s set his sights on playing international rugby for England.

Despite the shock departure of director of rugby Dean Ryan in the summer after three years, Schonert believes things have remained the same at Sixways.

“Dean had a say in things but he wasn’t the scrum coach, the forwards coach or the backs coach but he did have the overall say,” said Schonert.

“For me, Hoggy was always the coach so nothing has changed.

“I still see Hoggy as the coach and he’s just got a different name tag – but I still see him as the main guy I need to talk to.

“He’s got great knowledge of the game and I have lots of respect for him.”

Warriors finished 10th on their return to the top tier of English rugby last term and many pundits expect them to be fighting relegation with the likes of newly-promoted Bristol, Newcastle and Sale Sharks.

But Schonert said: “I think this club is going places and I am really happy to be a part of it.

“I want to see Warriors where they should be. We are a really good side – everything is good about this place.

"I want to see us climb the ladder and eventually hold up a trophy.”