PLAYMAKER Ryan Mills has revealed his desire to take on the kicking duties at Worcester Warriors as he looks to cement his place in the starting line-up.
The 22-year-old, who joined Worcester from Gloucester last summer, has played largely in his favoured inside centre role since returning from knee surgery in November.
However, Mills has shown he is equally adept at playing at fly half as he notably started ahead of Ryan Lamb for Worcester’s clash against Moseley last month.
Although centre Andy Symons took care of the kicking that day, Mills told The Observer he was also keen to demonstrate his skills with the boot.
“It was quite nice playing at ten again,” he said. “I have played most of my rugby at fly half. I do think 12 is where my long-term future is, but I am happy to play there.
“When I play 12 I am more of a second distributer, which is like another number ten on the field anyway, so there are not a lot changes for me when I do move into ten.
“Since I have come back I have also slowly got back into kicking and I’ll do more and more as long as my knee doesn’t react badly to it.
“I used to kick really frequently which is what flared my knee up originally, but obviously I have now had the operation to repair that, so I will hopefully be more comfortable doing it again.
“It is just about getting out there and practising it and making sure I get myself back to where I was before, so I can take it on for the team.”
Mills was part of the 2011 England U20s squad which included the likes of George Ford, Christian Wade and Joe Launchbury, who have all gone on to win senior caps.
Surgery on both knees has stopped the talented centre from pushing on, but Mills said he was hopeful Warriors can help him achieve his dreams.
“I have got a lot of friends who have gone on to play for the first team side now and the Saxons now which is where I want to be,” he said.
“I know that my body has not let me do it in the last few years, which is why this move and this year is a lot about getting me into a place where my body can do it.
“If I can back up game after game and go seasons without getting injured then we’ll see where that takes me.”