ADAM POWELL has warned Andy Farrell not to expect to walk straight back into the Saracens side when he returns from the World Cup.

The young Saracens centre was Farrell's main rival for the number 12 shirt last season and produced some attritional displays which belied his 20 years.

And with Farrell having been named in Brian Ashton's 30-man England squad, Powell is determined to make the most of the code breaker's absence on the domestic front by making the inside centre position his own.

Should England exceed expectations by reaching the October 18 final to defend their crown, Farrell could miss Sarries' first six Premiership matches.

And while Powell is delighted for his team-mate's inclusion he is unrepentant in his quest to keep the former Great Britain rugby league captain out of the picture when he comes back from France.

Having represented England at U16, U18 and U19 level, including skippering the U19 side at the World Championships and Six Nations, Powell hopes to follow in fellow leader Farrell's footsteps by making the senior side, albeit at a much quicker rate.

"Playing for England is the main target but the first priority for me is to get a regular starting place and become Saracens' first choice 12," said the youngster. "I'll have two months head start on Andy and I have no intention of giving that place up.

"When you are given a chance to take the shirt you have to take it with both hands and that is what I intend to do."

Those are the words of a playing oozing confidence, but Powell knows he faces a tough battle to keep Farrell out of director of rugby Alan Gaffney's thoughts after the Aussie had long championed Farrell's World Cup credentials.

"I will try and shut the door on Faz but, knowing him, he will come back and be more determined than ever to win his place back," added Powell.

Powell, who made a try-scoring debut as a second half replacement against Sale Sharks in September 2005, has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks at the Men in Black and had no hesitation in signing a new deal that keeps him at Vicarage Road until 2010.

And it is no wonder Gaffney moved quick to tie down his future as Powell has become something of a lucky charm for Sarries. In 16 appearances last season, Powell started eight times and his side won seven and drew one of them.

The former Romford starlet never expected to feature so prominently last season following a delayed start caused by shoulder reconstruction surgery.

"It was a great season for me, especially after having been out for six months," he said. "You have to progress bit by bit and wait for your opportunity.

"Mine came against Wasps in the EDF Energy Cup and took things on from there."

And how he did. Having helped Sarries to a 26-15 dead rubber win over Ian McGeechan's side, Powell scored in the 71-16 Euro Challenge Cup romp over GRAN Parma and was again in the side that won the reverse fixture 36-16.

His next game was sandwiched between starts for Farrell, an impressive 38-15 triumph over Northampton Saints to give fans plenty of Christmas cheer.

He featured twice in January, labouring in the mud in the drab 6-6 Euro Cup draw with Glasgow before helping Saracens to their seventh win in nine games at home to London Irish (19-8).

He then scored in the 22-9 win over then reigning champions Sale while his final start came in the Men in Black's 22-7 victory at Irish.

Powell's performances did not go unnoticed as he was nominated for the club's Young Player of the Season award but he lost out to flatmate Tom Mercey, something he is determined won't happen this season.

"We want to build on the success of last year as it is no good doing it one year and not doing it in the second year," Powell added. "It's great for the team to have such competition for places and to be up against Faz is really good for me. I have learned so much from him and his communication and organisational skills are excellent. That's where he is miles ahead of me."