Sanderson ready for Bourgoin battle

Pat Sanderson led Worcester Warriors to the brink of Euro glory 11 months ago – and as they head for France and their European Challenge Cup Saturday semi-final showdown with Bourgoin the Sixways skipper is adamant they can go one better this time.

Last season’s beaten tournament finalists and Bourgoin clash for the third time this season with the sudden death contest securing a place in the prestigious final next month following the Pool matches each going with home advantage.

The Warriors have won three of their last four matches – beating Saracens, knocking former Heineken Cup winners Brive out of the Challenge Cup at the quarter-finals stage and completing the season’s double over local rivals Gloucester Rugby.

However, they have also been hit by a spate of recent injuries to the likes of Matthew Jones, Loki Crichton and Marcel Garvey.

“Our season is not over by a long shot – hopefully we have got not one but two big games still to come,” said Sanderson. 

“It is a pretty long and attricious season and it is inevitable that squads are going to be hard hit by injuries. However, we have got talented boys to come in and I am confident they will do a good job for us over in France.

“Nevertheless we face a big challenge at Bourgoin. On their day they can be pretty formidable with a very big, strong and physical side and, while we know exactly what to expect from them, that doesn’t make it any easier stopping them.”

Bourgoin, who stunned tournament favourites London Irish 32-30 at the Madejski Stadium in the quarter-finals, have international half backs Benjamin Boyet and Morgan Parra at the heart of their side.

“They are fantastic half backs,” added Sanderson.

“And, like all French sides, Bourgoin are very passionate when they are playing in front of their home crowds. It promises to be a fantastic physical contest and could well come down to who wants it the most on the day.

“It is incredibly important for us to make every possible effort to get to a second successive European Challenge Cup final – we have not achieved what we would have liked this season and this semi-final is a real lifeline for us, both to reach another final and also in providing the possibility of Heineken Cup rugby next season.

“We expected far more from ourselves and believed we had a squad good enough to earn us Heineken Cup rugby solely on our league performances.

“But, while that obviously did not happen, we have found some good form of late and turned some good sides over and now we have huge semi-final to look forward to.”


SIGN UP TO THE WARRIORS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER