WARRIORS lock Darren Barry revealed how a chat with head coach Carl Hogg had cleared the air over his role at Sixways.

The 27-year-old has yet to appear in the Aviva Premiership this term despite being a regular Worcester presence over the past two campaigns.

Barry featured in Saturday’s 35-14 victory over Oyonnax in the European Challenge Cup, his first start in the competition having been involved as a replacement against Brive in October.

And having put on a strong show the ex-Bristol and Cornish Pirates giant is looking to impress again in tomorrow’s return fixture in France (7pm GMT).

“It has been very frustrating,” said Barry.

“I have been involved fairly heavily over the past two seasons so to not even get a Premiership appearance this season has been disappointing and tough to take but you have to stick with it.

“There is no point in giving up. You just have continue to train hard, take care of yourself, make sure you’re fit and then take the opportunities when they come.

“I was lucky enough to get one at the weekend and it seemed to go pretty well. A couple of good performances would allow me to ask questions of the coaches and get back into that Premiership squad.

“I have spoken to Carl. It is no good sitting back waiting for them to come to you.

“You might hear some things you don’t want to hear but it gives you something to work on. If you do as they say, it gives you more licence to go and knock on the door again.

“I am sure I am not the only one to knock on the door. It is no good complaining about it, you just have to get on with it.

“If there is a lot to work on then your ego gets a bit of a dent but, walking away from it, at least you know what the coach is after. It can be quite fruitful but quite hard to hear.

“It puts to bed a lot of uneasy thoughts that the coach might not rate you when it is not the case. They have a team to pick and they get judged on results. If the players in front of you are playing well there is not a lot you can do.

“Stepping out of the office having spoken to Carl, I felt like I knew what I needed to do and I set up a plan to do it.”

Barry admitted those involved in cup rugby were “dying” for a piece of league action but acknowledged it would be hard to displace in-form players.

“I am competing directly with Pierce (Phillips) for that spot,” he added. “Donncha (O’Callaghan) and Will (Spencer) are going well so I don’t see much change there, it is fighting for that third place.

“You don’t go out there to outdo the guy next to you but it gives you that bit of extra confidence if you feel like you have played well. It is the same for all of the second rows, it is not a one-man crusade.”