IT IS just a seven letter word on a birth certificate. That is as much as being born in Bristol means to Worcester Warriors ace Sam Betty.
The fearless flanker may have been conceived in the city, which will be cheering on their rugby team when they take on Worcester at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night.
But having left there at an early age to move to Cornwall where he grew up, Betty insisted he did not hold any emotional ties to Bristol.
“I was born there, but I moved to Cornwall when I was about one, so I don’t have any recollection of living there,” he said.
“I am sure I would have had a connection if I had actually spent a bit of time there, but because I moved from there at such a young age I don’t have any memories of it, so it does not mean much to me.”
Even if Betty had been brought up in Bristol, there is little doubt the 28-year-old would be doing his utmost to scupper Warriors’ fierce rival’s promotion hopes.
The former Cornish Pirate is arguably in the form of his career as he has been heart of Worcester’s defence and attack as he has chipped in with 17 tries – making him the club’s highest scorer.
And Betty, who has made 20 appearances this season, said he was been enjoying his new offensive role in the number seven shirt.
“Bar one or two, my tries have been off the back of mauls, so it is really the guys in front of me who are doing all the work,” he said.
“But in the last couple of seasons there has been more a focus on attack, which has helped my game.
“In the past, I was predominantly a defensive player – and that’s still the bread and butter of my game.
“But with the help of a few different coaches, I have been able to improve my attacking game, which has been great for my development.”
Warriors will now lock horns with Bristol for a place in the Aviva Premiership and Betty said he was determined to finish the campaign on top.
“(To be in the Premiership) is obviously the overall goal for the club,” he said. “It would be massive and would mean a huge amount.
“But we can’t think about that right now because if you do you can lose your focus, so we have been concentrating on the Bristol game and preparing as best we can.
“But I think we in the right place physically and mentally.”