FIT-AGAIN flanker Carl Kirwan said he felt like he had been “hit by a train” after making his first appearance for Worcester Warriors in two years.

But having “survived” Warriors’ 23-7 win over Pau at Sixways Kirwan hopes his return to competitive action will be a “massive turning point” in his career.

The 27-year-old lifted the lid on his “horrendous” time with injuries after coming off the bench in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup clash.

It was his first showing for Warriors since December 10, 2016, when he dislocated his right shoulder in an Anglo-Welsh Cup game against Dragons.

The tale of injury woe that followed left Kirwan doubting whether his body was “giving up” on him as he sustained a blow to the opposite shoulder in a Worcester Cavaliers fixture last term and then tore his hamstring at the start of this season.

But after overcoming several operations the luckless forward was delighted to be back in a Warriors shirt.

“It was almost two years to the day when we played against Dragons at home and unfortunately I dislocated my right shoulder,” Kirwan said.

“It got quite badly infected, some of the screws fell out and it was a pretty messy time.

“It took approximately a year to get that right.

“I then had a run-out against Wasps in the A League and on the 42nd minute I did the same thing to my left shoulder.

“We went with a different surgeon who fixed that one and it took six or seven months.

“I got through pre-season reasonably well, had a run-out again for the Cavaliers and unfortunately tore my hamstring.

“That lasted about 12 weeks so I am back on track now and hopefully that’s my fair share of injuries done for a while.”

Kirwan, who had played 24 games in his first two seasons with Warriors, said his long lay-off was mentally challenging.

“It was horrendous,” Kirwan said.

“As a professional sportsperson you make your money but everything you want is out on the pitch.

“Morale is built around the squad but if you don’t have the boys around you and you are training by yourself trying to get stronger it is a tough time.

"Fortunately we have had some good coaches and people who looked out for me."

The former London Welsh captain admitted the successive injuries were “pretty off-putting” as he felt he had to “start all over again”.

But he thanked director of rugby Alan Solomons and ex-boss Gary Gold for sticking by him.

“It does cross your mind sometimes whether your body is saying that it is giving up,” Kirwan said.

“But I got through that game on Saturday.

“My shoulders are a bit sore and I feel like I have been hit by a train.

“Pau had some big boys but my shoulders have survived and I am very happy about that.

“My hamstring feels pretty good as well.”

Kirwan was scheduled to come on in the second half against Pau.

But after number eight Alafoti Fa’osiliva was forced off on 16 minutes with a knee injury after crossing the whitewash Kirwan was called upon.

“Unfortunately Alafoti went down and I got a lot longer than I expected,” Kirwan said.

“But I can’t complain about that. I enjoyed it.”

He added: “Hopefully that's a massive turning point.

“Mentally just getting one game under my belt is huge and physically it shows that my body is fine and ready to go.”