TWELVE months — that’s how long Jonny Arr thought his time at Worcester Warriors might last when he was offered an academy contract.

But more than a decade later the scrum-half now finds himself on the cusp of making his 200th appearance for his boyhood club.

It has been a long, memorable journey for Arr who is set to become only the third Warriors player to reach that milestone when they tackle Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium today (3pm).

But his “immensely proud” dad Dave Arr said it could have all been very different if his son had chosen to further his education.

“When Mike Ruddock took over (as director of rugby in 2007) he offered Jonathan an academy contract,” Arr said.

“He was delighted but he treated it as a gap year as he had six offers from universities.

“Loughborough kept chasing him but he just decided to give it a go at Warriors for 12 months and see what happened.

“Eleven years later and here we are.”

The 29-year-old went on to achieve academic success when he graduated with a BA (Hons) first degree in leadership and management at Northumbria University in 2015.

But it was on the rugby field for Warriors where he has made a name for himself with his crisp passing, box-kicking and tenacity in the tackle.

Since joining Worcester Rugby Club’s mini and juniors section at the age of just seven, the ex-Royal Grammar School Worcester pupil has been committed to the cause.

Along with his best friend and ex-teammate Jake Abbott, Arr rose through the age group levels before catching the eye of Warriors’ coaches while playing in the under 17s colts side.

Worcester-born Arr made his first-team debut in Warriors’ EDF Cup tie at London Irish in 2007 and his Premiership bow soon followed.

During his time at Sixways, the number nine has faced competition from the likes of Matt Powell, Shaun Perry and Francois Hougaard.

He has worked under numerous coaches, including Ruddock, Dean Ryan and Alan Solomons, and experienced the lows of relegation in 2010 and 2014.

But he has continued to stay put and his loyalty has been rewarded with promotions in 2011 and 2015.

“He has had offers from other clubs, some of them in the top four, but his heart is in Worcester,” said Dave Arr.

“He has had his injuries and there have been other signings but he just sees it as a challenge.”

Arr, an ex-president of Worcester Rugby Club, said two matches stood out when reflecting on his son’s career.

“I remember when Warriors went down to Cornish Pirates in the Championship (in 2011),” he said.

“They were under pressure up front and he was getting all types of ball but they won and he got man of the match.

“I also remember his 150th game at Rotherham (in 2014). He came on with 10 minutes to go and the first thing he did was get knocked out so that wasn’t quite a highlight!”

Jonny Arr is now set to secure another poignant landmark and his father is hopeful there will be more memorable days to come at Warriors.

“The whole family are thrilled and immensely proud of him,” said Dave Arr who will be making the trip to Sale.

“Jonathan just wants to see them achieve their potential.

“Warriors have had many false starts but they are slowly getting the players together that might be able to get them what they all deserve which is not being in a relegation fight every year.

“He is 30 this year so he has still got a few years left in him.

“I think he would like to see his career out at Worcester.”