Even Matt Powell's critics, those who claim his passing, kicking or decision-making are not of a high enough standard for a top-half Premiership side, have to admit whatever the Worcester scrum half lacks technically he more than compensates with temperament.

Powell has in spades the most important of all the qualities required for his position - persistence - indeed he has almost come to embody Worcester's approach to the top flight. Just like his club, he has been written off time and time again but still defies those 'experts' who would prefer to see a 'bigger name' in the Warriors No 9 shirt.

This season has been no different to the previous four he has spent battling for his position and neither will this summer be any different as Worcester are linked with a who's-who of high-profile half backs, some fanciful, some possible and some probable.

In fact it's started already. Ben Jones, the great white hope from Clive Griffiths' old team Doncaster, is almost certain to arrive at Sixways at the end of the current campaign and Worcester have already missed out on Ben Foden. Only this week Mike Ruddock admitted scrum half is a position he is looking to upgrade.

But 'twas ever thus for Powell who, the odd daisy-cutter pass aside, continues unfazed by the speculation over his role. "There is no point worrying about it because there's nothing I can do except go out and give it my best shot on a Saturday or Sunday," he says.

"Does it scare me? No, it's a challenge, I believe it raises my game. I have another two years on my contract but I am not relaxed in my thought processes. I want to play as much rugby as I can."

Powell's confidence is forged on the experience of seeing off all comers. When he first arrived at the club he was brought in to back up South African international Werner Swanepoel as Worcester sought a route out of National One. By the end of his first season in 2004, with Swanepoel injured, Powell was the undisputed first choice.

A few months later he started the campaign, Warriors' first in the Premiership, behind Neil Cole and Clive Stuart-Smith, the England Under 21 skipper whose future was almost as bright as his platinum blond hair. After four straight losses Powell came in against his former club, Harlequins, and tormented the Londoners to distraction. He finished that season as undisputed No 1 while Cole and Stuart-Smith left.

His reward? John Brain made the bizarre move of bringing in Andy Gomarsall who had fallen out of favour at Gloucester. It was a slap in the face for a player who had inspired his team to an unlikely ninth place.

But Gomarsall wasn't the answer either. Injuries and problems behind the scenes meant his Worcester career ended even before the 2005-06 season had come to a close.

Nick Runciman emerged as the next challenger and started last season in pole position with former Wales A captain Ryan Powell brought in from Cardiff Blues to compete for game time.

To whom did Brain turn when Worcester dropped into relegation trouble once more? You guessed it. Powell even led the side as a brave rearguard action ended in the greatest of escapes.

And once more this season. Occupancy of the scrum half berth has changed six terms already this term as Ruddock's revolution has struggled to travel a full circle. Powell is having to re-learn his trade.

"To go from a game which was very forward oriented - a role I grew into - to try to play a different game-plan has tested me quite a bit," he admits. "It's taken me a while to change my style but it will only make me a better player. I know there are things, looking back, I should have done against Leeds. But generally I am happy."

Powell points to the fact the rest of the team have also been asked to change their styles. Ruddock demands the front five are more involved around the field and the back three also have to fulfil their share of ball-carrying duties, but no role is more pivotal than his.

Against Leeds a fortnight ago it looked as though Worcester had slipped back into their old ball-hogging, picking and driving ways when width was the order of the afternoon. Powell bears some responsibility for that.

But he must also take credit for a recent upturn in results. Worcester are unbeaten in each of their last three matches, a run that includes a barely credible victory at Sale Sharks where he capitalised on a break by Shane Drahm and arrowed a cross-field kick for Marcel Garvey to tap down to Kai Horstmann for the game's only try. It was the sort of adventure frowned upon under the previous regime.

His game has undoubtedly been helped by the renaissance of Drahm at fly half.

Four men have played there this season, a fact that has not helped the incumbent scrum half. "It has been quite difficult. It does make a difference when you change fly halves," Powell says.

"When Shane came back in he had a massive point to prove. He is a very proud guy and wants to go out on a high. He was very dominant when he came back into the side, demanding the ball. That took a lot of pressure off me. It was great when he came back. It's good he has taken games by the scruff of the neck."

Which is what they must do when Gloucester visit Sixways tomorrow. Worcester have never beaten their nearest neighbours but have never played them when the form-book has looked so balanced. Yes the Cherry and Whites are top but they are not the juggernaut they were at the start of the season.

"I would never say I expect us to beat anybody but if we start well and really get stuck into them and get some quick ball we stand a really good chance of winning. We have got to be careful with our kicking game that we don't give them the broken field they want." And that is where Powell comes in.

WORCESTER (probable): Delport; Garvey, Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Drahm, Powell; Windo, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Wood, Sanderson, Horstmann. Replacements: Mullan, Ruwers, Bowley, Hickey, Pennell, Gear, Arr