BACK KEYS OPENS UP AFTER SHAKY START WITH MOSELEY.

Byline: BRIAN DICK

BRYN Keys insists he has bounced back from an 'embarrassing' start to his Moseley career.

The new signing was dropped after just three games as the Red and Blacks struggled at the start of the campaign. Not only did Ian Smith's men lose all three matches, they conceded 138 points in the process and had their defence torn to shreds.

Week after week Exeter, Cornish Pirates and then Nottingham rammed home the tries, with 20 coming in less than four hours of game time.

And 24-year-old Keys was as responsible as anybody, with his defensive frailties laid bare at a time when he was desperate to make a big impression. That led Smith to bench the Canada international for the visit of Doncaster, which produced a first victory.

Thankfully injuries meant the former Velox Valhallians threequarter was given another opportunity and he has not looked back since.

He was much more solid on a night of controversy in Coventry and last Saturday's win over Plymouth brought Keys's best performance for his new club.

And he puts his improvement down to the fact he was so upset by the start he made.

"Was it embarrassing? Definitely. Without a doubt," Keys admitted.

"If you are not happy with your own performances you can't expect anyone else to be happy.

"You know how everyone is looking at you.

International "Being a Canada international I am representing the whole country.

"I hold that very highly and I don't want to misrepresent my country's ability."

But that is exactly what happened when Keys arrived just six days before he was thrown into the fray against Championship leaders Exeter. Both he and compatriot Justin Mensah-Coker looked like men who had not played for months.

Indeed they hadn't, largely because of the immigration hold-ups that delayed their arrival.

When they eventually landed at the end of August they had just three training sessions with a squad wrecked by injuries.

"I was a bit frustrated getting 50 points on us each week, we just didn't come together as a team," he said.

"I know in myself when I am playing well and not playing well.

"I was dropped for a week and I thought it was well deserved.

"Since being dropped I have really taken it on myself to work on the little mental things I need to. I have been trying to prepare myself a little bit better and making sure it doesn't happen again.

"For me it's getting switched on and more focused and making sure I do everything well.

"Getting adjusted from playing domestic rugby in British Columbia has been a massive jump.

"At times the level was really good but I wasn't really challenged and the standard of back play wasn't that great.

"I certainly never had to work on my defence, I could get away with being more athletic than most of the other players.

"Here the level of competition is much higher. I am taking it on myself to adjust to those things week in, week out."

And it has worked. Keys was solid in defence against Albion last weekend.

That has given him the belief he can return to Canada's national squad for the autumn internationals next month.

The Canucks play Japan away twice and then return home to face Russia.

With Mensah-Coker looking more and more accomplished Keys hopes the club-mates can team up on the international stage.

"It would work well for Canada," he said. "It's always worthwhile being comfortable with someone.

"In Canada we have trouble with that because all our players are spread out around the world.

"Having guys play together at club rugby is a big asset."

The house-mates last appeared together for their country in July when the hosts romped to a 41-18 success over the USA.

"My goal is to play in the World Cup so I have stuff to do in international rugby," Keys said.

"If I come back here and have to work myself back into the position then that's what I'll have to do." After all, he's done it once before.

CAPTION(S):

SECOND CHANCE: Bryn Keys