WORCESTER Warriors lock Will Spencer should be given an opportunity to play for England this summer, according to director of rugby Gary Gold.

Spencer scored a important try and starred against his former club Bath as Warriors picked up a crucial 25-19 victory in their Aviva Premiership survival bid.

It was Warriors’ first success in nine matches against their West Country rivals.

Gold worked with Spencer during their time at Bath and believes the second row could “be an answer” for England’s trip to Argentina.

“Will has worked really hard and has come from a tough couple of years with injuries and not having played very much,” said Gold.

“It’s commendable how he has fought through some tough times and when he arrived at the club he was intent on putting his hand up and showing how good he is.

“I really think he could be an answer for England going to Argentina in the summer.

“He’s played consistently well for us in seven games on the bounce for the full 80 minutes.

“He runs and calls the line-out and is very good with ball in hand and, as a lock, he doesn’t have a weakness.”

The influential Spencer, 24, joined Warriors in the summer but hurt his back in their pre-season camp to Tignes.

He returned to action December which ended a two-year injury lay-off.

And the forward must now be among the first names on Gold’s teamsheet.

Spenncer re-visited his old pre-match ritual on Friday night when he watched the Ridley Scott epic Gladiator film with team-mates Luke Baldwin and Marco Mama.

“Marco and I went around Luke’s house, had a good feed and stuck on Gladiator,” said Spencer, who has been nicknamed Maximus by his Warriors team-mates.

“It was a big game against Bath and I thought watching the film would help us to get in the mood.

“As much as the game meant to me on a personal level, I knew how big it was for our season.”

Spencer worked tirelessly throughout the contest and then forced his way over the line for Warriors’ third try in the 75th minute which stretched their lead to 23-16.

“It was a massive performance from all of us and to get over the line was a bit special for me,” said Spencer.

“I remember looking up and seeing all the guys running to celebrate with me. It was a really nice feeling and they knew it meant a lot to me. It was sheer elation.”

Spencer admitted he felt he had to prove something to himself after an injury-ravaged spell at Bath which ended with his release by then chief Mike Ford.

“I had something to prove to myself,” he said.

“It was a big moment in the game (when I scored). If we had left that period without a score the momentum shift could easily have gone back to Bath. It was good to get the score and luckily we closed out the game.”

Spencer's special day was witnessed by his mum, some old school mates and other friends in the crowd who cheered him on.

“My dad was a little bit poorly at the last minute so he couldn’t make it but my mum’s a trooper and comes everywhere to watch me,” said Spencer.

“I also had some friends from school in the crowd and a former Bath physio also came down to watch.

“Bath are a quality team and we knew we had to get parity upfront. We won the game and I think we deserved it.”