“Step down won’t stop me getting to the top,” insists Worcester Warrior Sam Smith

Sam Smith believes his England ambitions will be helped rather than hindered by playing in the Championship for Worcester.
The winger, who made his debut for the Warriors last Sunday having moved from Harlequins, says Worcester team-mate Chris Pennell has shattered the ‘glass ceiling’ that blocked Championship players from being selected for England.
Smith, 24, left the Stoop for Sixways in order to get more starts, and says Pennell’s debut for England in the summer proves that Championship players can dream big.
“Chris has pushed through that ceiling and I think that’s good for the game,” he told The Rugby Paper. “It means there’s going to be a lot more competition in this league.
“There are a lot of young talented English players in the Championship and Chris’s success is only going to be a good thing for the game.”
Smith believes Sixways is the place that will enable him to hone his skills and follow in the footsteps of dad Simon, who won nine caps for England in the Eighties.
“Every English player wants to play for England one day. I played with lots of internationals at Quins and have seen how good they are and I’ve got a way to go to improve, but that’s something I can achieve playing for Worcester.”
Smith unhesitatingly stands by his decision to move from the top-tier to the Championship, and says his Warriors debut was just as intense as a Premiership match.
“It didn’t feel any different to the Premiership games I played in last year,” he said. “You still need the speed of thought and the physicality, and the pace of the game was tough.
“Hopefully I can score a few tries and keep improving. I’m going to be able to do that if I get the opportunity to play week-in, week-out.
“I’m hoping to grow with this team, using my experience from the Premiership to help us build and get better.
“I’m really chuffed with the decision I’ve made. I’ve loved every minute since I’ve joined Worcester.
“We’re building for the future and we’re trying to use the Championship as a stepping stone to get there.”