PROMISING prop Kai Owen is not interested in moving out on loan next season as he looks to fight for a place in Worcester Warriors’ front row.

The academy ace, 20, made his senior debut in the European Challenge Cup last season and is now aiming to make his Gallagher Premiership bow.

Ethan Waller, 26, Callum Black, 33, and a fit-again Ryan Bower, 28, are expected to be the main contenders for the number one shirt next term.

But Owen who has just one first team outing to his name believes he can put pressure on the experienced trio.

Asked whether he would benefit from a loan move, Owen said: “I am keen to stay at Worcester and fight for my place.

“I want to be in the environment all the time and push the first-team players.

“There is so much competition, but I think they need that. They need to see the young boys coming up and showing that positions are there for the taking.”

On his goals for the 2019-20 campaign, Owen added: “I have just got to take each day as it comes but hopefully I can make my Prem debut next season.

“I want to get a few more appearances with the first team and get more involved on the whole.”

Owen was let go by Warriors when he was 17 before being recalled to play for Worcester Cavaliers in the Premiership Shield.

His consistent performances for the Cavaliers saw him earn a senior academy contract and get picked to feature against Stade Francais last October.

Owen came off the bench and won a scrum penalty in the closing moments as Warriors won 38-27 in Paris.

“That was a totally different experience,” Owen said.

“Flying away with the team and being with those players was crazy.

“It was good though.

“Everyone kept me calm by talking to me all the time, giving me advice so I just had to go out there and put a shift in.”

Owen has also achieved international honours having been called up to play for England under 20s in the Six Nations and in this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championships in Argentina.

Although England finished fifth in the tournament Owen said the experience had given him a big morale boost ahead of next season.

“That has given me a whole heap of confidence,” Owen said.

“It split the year up as well so you can go away, play with guys that are your age or a year younger and build more confidence.

“You can also get better as a player as there is so much talent and when you go back to Worcester your confidence is so much higher.

“It will be interesting to see how my body reacts in the summer. It will also be interesting to see what is different in pre-season as there have been quite a few boys that have come and gone.

“When I get back into the environment it will be nice to see some different people.”