THE PROSPECT of a trip to Clifton Lane – the home of Rotherham Titans – is not something many of Worcester Warriors’ players are likely to be relishing.
The historic 2,500-capacity ground, which will play host to Worcester on Saturday, is a far cry from the cosy surroundings of London Irish’s Madejski Stadium or Sale Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium.
But for Warriors scrum half Charlie Mulchrone it is a place which he will always have fond memories of. The 25-year-old was an amateur rugby player for Macclesfield before Rotherham snapped the Yorkshireman up in 2012.
And he has not looked back since as he went on to captain the club before joining Warriors in the summer.
“I am really looking forward to going back to Clifton Lane on Saturday as it is a great place and I just love everything about it,” Mulchrone said.
“Before I moved there, I was only playing amateur level rugby at local clubs. I was recommended by a friend to go to Rotherham and in the end it turned out quite nicely for me.
“But I pretty much owe my career to Rotherham, so it will be odd to go back there with a different team.
“You don’t really notice it much when you are playing as you go into game mode, but playing against your mates is always good fun.”
His experience of the Greene King IPA Championship also makes him an even more valuable asset to Worcester having featured in the play-off semi-finals last season.
“I have played against pretty much all the teams in this league,” Mulchrone said. “Hopefully I can pass on my knowledge to the other players and let them know what the Championship is all about and the challenges you’ll face.
“From the heart of Yorkshire, down to London and then to Cornwall you won’t find many easy games, if any, in this league.
“You only have to look at Newcastle and London Welsh who came down and were tested everywhere they went as teams will fight for everything.
“I know that more than most and we have found that out already. We are an ex Premiership team so for them it is a big scalp to take, so we are going to get it every week.”
Mulchrone got his Sixways career off to a superb start with two tries against local rivals Moseley, but he insisted he was keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“When I came here I didn’t really set myself any goals,” he added. “I just wanted to train as hard as I could and keep my head down.
“Then, if I get picked, I would just take my chances, so I was pleased to get a couple of tries on my debut.”
Caption: Charlie Mulchrone scored two tries on his debut. Picture by Andy Baldwin.