CENTRE Will Butler said he was made to feel "at home” on his Aviva Premiership debut for Worcester Warriors.

The 19-year-old academy ace was a surprise inclusion in Alan Solomons’ matchday squad to take on Leicester Tigers at Sixways earlier this month.

And after Ryan Mills hobbled off on 23 minutes with an ankle issue Butler was thrust straight into the action.

Although disappointed to be on the losing side as Warriors went down 34-5 to Tigers, Butler was pleased with his performance and was now looking to get more chances to showcase his skills on the big stage.

“It was unexpected but a very nice surprise,” Butler said.

“Obviously I was quite nervous going into it, but I felt reasonably happy with my performance so fingers crossed I can repeat that.

“I had the likes of Jackson Willison and other senior boys in the team and they made me feel at home.

“I was not expecting to play 60 minutes but I felt comfortable with the players around me and really enjoyed it.”

A top-flight bow adds to a memorable season for Butler who has made third appearances for the first-team this term.

He was also handed the captaincy for Worcester’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clashes against Sale Sharks and Harlequins in November.

But Butler, who turns 20 next month, is refusing to get ahead of himself.

“I feel I am reaping the rewards of all the hard work I am doing,” Butler said.

“If there is an opportunity for me to get another senior appearance that would be really good.

“But I just need to keep working hard and we will see what happens.

“There aren’t too many games left in the Premiership so what I can do off the game pitch is just as important so I need to train hard and work with the team to try to produce some decent performances and get a few wins with Worcester.”

Butler was among five Warriors players in England U20s’ squad for the Six Nations and led his country in their defeat to Scotland last month.

“When I captained Worcester I had senior players with me that guided me through it,” he said.

“It was nice to have that support and I was able to bring (that experience) over into the U20s’ group.

“I felt a lot more confident in myself to stand up and take the speaking role and lead from the front.”

The Ledbury teenager will now be hoping to get his name on the team-sheet for Warriors’ trip to Sale Sharks on Saturday (3pm).

“The coaches were happy with my performance (against Leicester) but it is up to them,” said Butler on his chances of facing Sale.

“We want to field the best team we can so we will see how it goes and I will keep working hard.

“I am in a good place and hoping to kick on again for the rest of the campaign and next season as well.”