WARRIORS' latest academy starlet Kai Owen reveals the current Worcester squad are all part of a “brotherhood” and he believes the blend of youth and experience is creating a healthy balance within the group.

The academy prop made his first Gallagher Premiership appearance in Sunday’s 13-10 league defeat at Bristol having been re-signed to the academy last season.

Despite being dropped from the academy in 2017, the 20-year-old impressed during his time with the Cavaliers last year.

And he has featured in the European campaign this season as well as being involved in a dual-registration agreement with Championship clubs Yorkshire Carnegie and Hartpury.

Owen started his career at local club Telford and came through the ranks in the Warriors academy with the likes of Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence.

He explains that the youngsters in the squad have a close bond.

“We are very tight,” he said.

“Some of the boys I have grown up with as well, coming through the academy and the age groups.

“We’re always having a laugh, we sit and eat together, the brotherhood is good and it’s getting better throughout the team, especially this year.

“The academy house is amazing as well, it’s a really good set-up at Worcester and it’s great to see us all smiling.”

Owen admitted that whilst his debut in the Premiership was a losing one he was thrilled to have earned some minutes in such an experienced environment. “It was good to get out there with the boys,” he said.

“The physicality and tempo were a big step-up from what I have experienced before but I enjoyed being tested.

“I learnt a lot but you don’t look at the names on the back of shirts, you go out there and put a shift in.

“The hype about playing against well-known players is a big thing but if you just don’t think about it and just stick to your own game things go the way you want them to.”

Boss Alan Solomons has put massive faith in youth since his arrival at the club and Hill and Lawrence are the obvious examples but Nick David has also come onto the scene lately.

Owen now becomes another addition to that list of names and he believes that everyone benefits from one another, regardless of age.

“You’ve got to bleed players in slowly and make sure they’re ready as well,” he added.

“That’s a big thing for the coaching staff, you have to give them confidence to choose you and you do that by training hard and getting yourself out there.

“We always look up to them (senior players) and when we were little we would watch them but we’re at a stage now when we’re alongside them, they push us and we push them, we’re all brothers now."