FLEDGLING flanker Caleb Montgomery reminds director of rugby Alan Solomons of former Worcester Warriors and Ireland international Neil Best.

Solomons was struck by the physical nature of the 24-year-old Irishman after his try-scoring debut in the 57-23 victory over Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

Montgomery gathered Ryan Mills’ pass before stepping inside one defender and fending off two more tacklers on his way to the try-line.

As well as carrying hard, Montgomery also put in a strong defensive shift, making 14 tackles and only missing one in 80 minutes.

Solomons felt Montgomery’s full-blooded showing drew comparisons to Best who was known for putting his body on the line.

Like Montgomery, Best started his career at Ulster, where he played under Solomons, before heading to England.

The 40-year-old, who gained 18 caps for Ireland and represented them at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, played for Warriors between 2010 and 2013.

“Caleb reminds me a little bit of a young Neil Best who I brought into the Ulster set-up from club rugby,” Solomons said.

“He is prepared to put himself about which is positive.

“He has not had a lot of exposure at a higher level but I thought he did really well for his first hit out.

“He is a physical player.”

Montgomery, who stands at 6ft 3in and weighs 16st 2lb, prefers playing at blindside flanker but started at openside against Tigers.

“He can play anywhere in the back five as he has played at lock before,” Solomons said.

“That versatility is useful.”

Montgomery has already started planning for life after rugby having signed up for an electrical installation course at Heart of Worcestershire College.

For the next two years Montgomery will spend two nights a week learning theory at the college and will also gain practical experience on his days off from rugby.

“At the end of the course hopefully I will be a qualified electrician which is something I can do after rugby,” Montgomery said.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do and when I came here Lynette (Cutting, Warriors’ education officer) spoke to me about vocational training and was very quick to get me onto the course at the college.

“Lynette is very good at what she does. We didn’t have someone like Lynette at Ulster. She is very on the ball.”

Other Warriors players to have gained vocational qualifications at the college are tighthead prop Nick Schonert and wing Perry Humphreys.