LOCK Darren Barry says he is enjoying working alongside Donncha O’Callaghan who he described as a ‘great example’ for any professional rugby player.
O’Callaghan, 36, arrived at Warriors ahead of this season after ending his 17 year-career at Munster where he made 270 competitive appearances.
And 25-year-old Barry, who also joined Worcester in the summer, said he was benefiting from the 94-cap Ireland international’s experience and expertise.
“He is a really bubbly character and a really good bloke to be around,” Barry said.
“He is a prime example of what being a professional rugby player at the top end is all about.
“The way he looks after himself on and off the pitch is a great example of someone who is aspiring to achieve at least half of what he has been able to achieve in his career and is someone I look up to.”
Barry has featured in all four of Worcester’s Aviva Premiership games since making the switch from Cornish Pirates’s Mennaye Field to Sixways and he admitted his start to the season had exceeded his expectations.
“I certainly set out to be involved for the first few games, but it would have been quite an unrealistic target at the start of pre-season when you have never played at this level before,” he said.
“But thankfully I have been given the opportunity and it is just down to me whether I can continue being in the team and hopefully my performances will lead me to do that.
“I hope I have at least shown that I am capable of playing at this level, but obviously it goes game by game and you are never guaranteed a spot in the team, so hopefully I am selected for the weekend.”