FULL-BACK Chris Pennell has praised the leadership skills of Worcester Warriors captain Donncha O’Callaghan.

Pennell returned to the fray after two months out with a heel problem at Northampton Saints last Saturday.

Pennell looked sharp in his half-an-hour display and will wear the number 15 jersey in tomorrow’s vital Aviva Premiership home clash against Bristol (3pm).

Last weekend was the first time Pennell had been led into battle by Ireland and Munster legend O’Callaghan who has taken over the captaincy at Sixways.

With club captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze sidelined with concussion since the first match of the season, the captaincy has been held by, among others, Phil Dowson and Dewald Potgieter.

Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold arrived last month and has opted for the 37-year-old Cork-born lock to guide Warriors in their relegation battle.

“Donncha is fantastic and has got a lot of experience,” said Pennell.

“You can see all eyes are on him when he talks to us.

“He’s an inspirational guy who leads from the front and is someone who genuinely cares and is easy to follow.

“He’s been superb. It was my first week back in training last week with him leading the side and I was hugely impressed and I think he’s fantastic.”

Pennell was also full of praise for young Welshman Josh Adams who occupied the full-back position in his absence since the start of 2017.

Adams has been in superb form and will begin on the wing against Bristol.

And Pennell believes Adams will push him to the “next level”.

“Josh has been fantastic,” said Pennell.

“We started the season with Shilly (Jamie Shillcock) coming in and doing an immense job and Josh has come in.

"Josh is solid under the high ball and does the basics really well.

“We saw a world-class finish from him at Saints."

Pennell added: “He’s a great prospect for the future and a great prospect for now.

“He is someone who is going to push me to the next level in my game and hopefully I can do the same for him.”