NICK David revealed how the sight of formidable Wales international Taulupe Faletau had inspired the “extra gear” he needed to score on his Premiership debut.

The 21-year-old Warriors academy graduate benefited from recent stints on the wing for Championship club Hartpury to start amid an injury crisis out wide at Worcester.

His big chance came in the second half with Warriors six down to Bath, David hurdling Faletau’s efforts to halt his dash on to Sam Lewis’s pass.

“Initially I just thought ‘make sure you catch this ball’ because it was on the money from Sam,” said David.

“After that it was just a case of keeping my head down. I saw the space in front of me but then I saw Taulupe Faletau.

“I knew I had to get to that next gear to get over the line. I had the wind behind me, I think that helped but I was really chuffed with that and my performance.

“It was a childhood dream come true and surreal being out on the pitch among big names on both sides.

“Once you get out there you try not to get caught up in all of it and get on with your job.”

Missed kicks in the bluster of Storm Dennis, including Chris Pennell’s last-gasp punt from his own half, took away David’s dream outcome but he was quick to highlight the positives.

“I thought it was going through but the wind pushed it in the last metre or so,” said David.

“I was pretty gutted not to finish on the right side of the result but I couldn’t fault the effort from the lads, from one to 23.

“Conditions were really tough but we dug deep, especially at the start of the second half. The defending of our 22 really showed grit and determination to try to keep them out.

“There was quite a bit ambiguity around the flight of the ball in the air and exiting out of the 22 against a strong wind in the first half was really difficult but I think we managed that pretty well.

“We were definitely deflated, the effort from the boys was outstanding, it was just unfortunate we did not end up on the right side of it.

“We can take a huge number of positives from our performance and will analyse the game to try to take some momentum forward into the game at Bristol (on Sunday).”

David was among the players praised by director of rugby Alan Solomons afterwards.

“I thought Nick did well, as did Scott van Breda and Sam Lewis who came on and set up Nick for the try.

“Nick is a really good young prospect, in difficult conditions he performed on what was a really big debut.”