Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has urged his team to aim for a first ever derby day double when they face local rivals Gloucester at Kingsholm on Tuesday (kick-off 7.30pm).
Warriors secured a tense 14-10 win when the two sides met at Sixways Stadium in March but Worcester have yet to taste league success on Gloucester soil.
The game could see versatile back Willie Walker restored to the line-up to face his employers and Ruddock admits he could have a rare selection dilemma.
“It looks like it will be a similar selection to the Brive game,” he said. “We’ve got a few areas we’ve got to nail down. For example, Willie Walker is available, so will he play 10 or will he play fullback. If he plays at fullback, someone will have to lose out in the back three.
“It’s a nice option to have so I will have to sleep on that one and give that one a little more thought.
There’s a possibility Will Bowley might miss out with a foot injury. If he does miss out, Graham Kitchener will start. Kitch is due a run anyway and we’re quite excited about him, particularly after he’s just signed his new deal. If that happens, I’m sure he’ll step up to the plate.
The local derby brings about a return to Kingsholm for in-form winger Marcel Garvey, hooker Chris Fortey as well as on loan ace Walker.
And Ruddock is sure both players will receive a warm welcome from the Kingsholm faithful.
He said: “I’m sure they’ll get a great reception. They have been great players for Gloucester and Willie is obviously still on Gloucester’s books so I’m sure they’ll want to welcome him back.
“They might have even forgiven him by now for kicking the points against them to in the game for us. I understand his situation, he’s been put out on loan, and he’s a professional so he’ll always do the best he can.”
The match will be the second in a busy week of games for the Cherry and Whites, with fixture congestion likely to impact on home team selection – something Ruddock sympathises with.
“Gloucester have got a number of games next week, starting with the cup final on Saturday, so they will be confident of where they’re at in the business end of the season,” he said.
“It might just be that they’re celebrating or feeling a little bit under pressure next Tuesday when we go down there. It could be an opportunity for us to get stuck into them.
“Obviously Gloucester are going to throw everything at us, to try and get revenge for that defeat that they suffered here at Sixways.
“Our defence will have to be on form. It’s been pleasing that in our last couple of games we’ve shown a little more consistency with our defence. We’ve still let in the odd couple of tries, so obviously we’re still working towards getting a clean sheet as often as we can.
“We’re also hoping that we’re not just relying on defence, we want to go there and play some rugby,” he added.
“We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. That will be my message to the boys – we’ll go and play some rugby against Gloucester, keep hold of the ball a bit, try and run our phases, build our game, and really try and stretch them as well.”