THE “dual threat” Worcester Warriors prop Nick Schonert poses in the set-piece makes him “one of the strongest scrummagers in England”.

That’s the view of his long-time front-row colleague Ryan Bower who continues to marvel at Schonert’s ability to “destroy a scrum”.

Schonert has been involved in several England training camps yet failed to secure his first cap and missed out on a place in the Rugby World Cup squad.

But Bower, 28, reckons Schonert’s mixture of brute strength and brain power at scrum time sets him apart from other tightheads in the Gallagher Premiership.

And Bower has called on England head coach Eddie Jones to give the South African-born 28-year-old another chance.

“He is one of the strongest scrummagers in England so they should look at him,” Bower said.

“He has got the knowledge as well as the strength so he’s a dual threat.

“He does not just have the brawn as we knows what to do with it.

“He does not just push hard as he knows the technical detail too which is very good.

“I would have been very proud to have seen him in the World Cup, but it didn’t happen.

“Hopefully he will be around whenever Eddie wants to him.”

Bower and Schonert joined Warriors at the same time as they arrived in the summer of 2014 before helping the club return to the top-flight in their first season.

Schonert, who has agreed a contract extension, made his 100th appearance in May and Bower is set to follow suit when he goes up against Dragons at Sixways in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm).

“He is a great character around the squad,” said Bower on Schonert who has recently returned to full fitness.

“He keeps everyone laughing and is a great player as well.

“He can destroy a scrum so he’s very powerful.

“He has got great potential so to have him back in the team gives us momentum and a boost.

“We are very happy to him.”

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said he had also impressed by the improvements Schonert had made since coming under his tutelage in December 2017.

“Sharkey as we all call him here has established himself as one of the preeminent tightheads in the Premiership,” Solomons said.

“He has been part of the England playing squad and close to selection for them.

“Tighthead is a key position in the squad but I have certainly noticed in the past year or two that his all-round game has improved immeasurably, particularly his defence which has come on in leaps and bounds.

“That has been fantastic to see so (defence coach) Omar Mouneimne must take some credit for that as should Sharkey himself for the work he has put in.

“He is a fantastic bloke.

“He has been at Warriors since 2014. He is a great team-man and very much part and parcel with what goes on at Sixways.

“He is a pleasure to coach and am really going to enjoy continuing to work with him.”