SCRUM-HALF Charlie Mulchrone insists his Warriors team-mates must get used to the favourites’ tag – sooner rather than later.

The former Rotherham skipper shone with a two-try display on his competitive home debut for Warriors in a 23-7 win over Moseley in the Greene King IPA Championship.

The 25-year-old injected some life into a stumbling and error-strewn Warriors performance against a spirited Moseley, who had 13 men on the pitch at one point in the second-half.

Mulchrone opened his account after 30 minutes when he attacked down the blindside after a shout from Nick Schonert and dived over in the right-hand corner.

And Mulchrone scored an even better try two minutes into the second period, collecting Gerrit-Jan van Velze’s off-load from a scrum to sprint clear from inside his own half.

Centre Ravai Fatiaki notched Warriors’ third touchdown, also from a scrum, diving over from close-range, after Moseley had paid the price for two yellow cards.

But, at the final whistle, the majority of the 4,376-strong crowd would have been frustrated that Warriors scored just three tries despite dominating for long spells.

Mulchrone said: “I have been in similar positions playing for Rotherham when Newcastle and London Welsh came down from the Premiership. Playing against bigger teams are always games you get up for because you want to take the scalp of a former Premiership club.

“We have to embrace being a scalp that other teams want and we need to expect it every week. We will have to take that on that challenge.”

The Birmingham visitors stifled Warriors’ runners and tackled superbly, particularly in the opening half-an-hour which seemed to set the tone for the rest of the match.

Young lock Christian Scotland-Williamson, an academy player, also shone for the home side on his first league start and was at the heart of the action, particularly in the first period.

Warriors were comfortable in securing their first league victory of the season without turning their dominance at the scrum into a significant points advantage.

Director of rugby Dean Ryan would have been pleased with his side’s line-out which functioned well and set up early try-scoring opportunities.

Moseley finished the game on the front foot and hit back with a try from replacement Scott Tolmie, which was converted by former Warriors youngster Caolan Ryan.

And only a steal from Mulchrone prevented a late second try from Moseley, after former Luctonians winger Drew Cheshire had set up a chance from a quick counter-attack.

Warriors led 11-0 at the interval but failed to make the most of a strong start in excellent conditions. The home fans would have had high hopes for a big points tally when fly-half Ignacio Mieres slotted his first penalty, after Moseley had been penalised at the opening scrum.

But Warriors were penalised at the next scrum and Ollie Thomas’ long-range penalty attempt struck the crossbar. Thomas missed another penalty attempt soon afterwards after another scrum collapsed before Tom Biggs was yellow carded in the 19th minute for a deliberate knock on. Mieres doubled Warriors’ lead with his second penalty.

Mulchrone finally broke Moseley’s resistance to the relief of the home crowd who will now want more consistency from Warriors.