Rugby: Stage is set for Brown to shine as Warriors hit town

The tie, which will be the highest profile fixture ever undertaken in Scotland on the surface, was switched this morning when other potential venues, including Myreside, failed pitch inspections.

Second row Wilson has played at the highest level in his native New Zealand – he was part of a North Harbour side that defeated the crack Canterbury team in a domestic tie before heading over to Scotland – and insists 20-year-old full back Brown can "go a long way".

However, Brown is currently on an elite development contract only with Edinburgh and is not registered for the Heineken European Cup – to the surprise of try-scoring second row Wilson.

Says Wilson, who has notched three touchdowns in his last four games: "I noticed that Tom wasn't registered for the Heineken which was surprising given the way he contributed to an Edinburgh win over Leinster earlier this season.

"There again I suppose players had to be named in the squad early on. But there's no getting away from the fact that Tom was unlucky to miss out on man-of-the-match honours to a local player when we went down at Cornish Pirates in our opening match. Tom made some great breaks."

Currie lost 54-31 and Wilson, below, added: "With our immediate two games against quality opponents in Ayr and Glasgow Hawks both cancelled we were a bit undercooked.

"We should be sharper.

"I have a former North Harbour colleague who plays at Worcester (Greg Rawlinson) and we keep in touch occasionally. He has warned me about their promising young stand off, Joe Carlisle, who'll try to control the game and their pace out wide.

"As for my tries I've been lucky to be in the right place at the right time."

Currie coach Ally Donaldson takes a different view of Wilson's abilities, noting: "Ryan has a great ability to read the game and pop up in the right place at the right time without neglecting other duties."

Where the pair are on a wavelength concerns under-20 cap Brown, Donaldson adding: "I would hope Edinburgh or Glasgow would sign Tom (permanently) because we want our young players to go on to become full- timers. The Worcester match is another opportunity to show they can compete at the level we want to play at."

Highlighting the showcase aspect of the tournament Donaldson noted that others who have been catching the eye include prop Ally Hamilton, who took part in a scrummaging session with the All Blacks when the world's No.?1 team were temporarily short of resources ahead of the Test against Scotland.

"Ally is young for a prop at 22 years old and is still learning. But he's now coming back to the form which earned him a clubs' international call last season."Despite gaining plaudits from Cornish Pirates for his side's attacking approach Donaldson is, nevertheless, demanding improvement against rivals who lead England's second tier championship by seven points. "In my eight years as coach that is the highest number of points we have conceded in a single game. There has to be a tightening of our defence in what was, nevertheless, a very high quality game.

"Worcester are bringing a very strong team including a Tongan international prop and another prop with over 100 Celtic/Magners League appearances as well as a hooker who has turned out in the Heineken Cup.

"We want our own players to benefit from mixing in this company which is why we haven't tried to draft as many pros as possible, but it will be tough.

"Worcester also have two England Saxons (A international) forwards and winger Orio Ripol is a Spanish internationalist.

"Fly half Joe Carlisle and Andy Short (centre) are also highly thought of with Premiership experience. It's another full time professional opponent but we will give it our best shot and be better for last week's match."