Worcester Warriors kick off the pre-season programme on Friday night with Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock ordering his troops to always adopt the right attitude and approach throughout the coming weeks.
Doncaster Knights are the first visitors to Sixways Stadium on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm) before Warriors face trips to Newport Gwent Dragons, Droitwich and home clashes with Ulster Rugby and Ebbw Vale.
Worcester Warriors also visit the home of rugby, Twickenham, for the Middlesex 7s on Saturday, August 15.
Ruddock is determined his squad will hit the ground running this season and has spoken at length to make sure the message has been drilled home.
“We approach the first encounter, even though it is a friendly game, with the attitude that we want to start on the front foot,” he said.
“We have talked about our mental approach as well as our tactically approach to the match and pre-season.
“The three key areas to focus on are making sure we respect the opposition and we adopt a Premiership mentality throughout, particularly in terms of the physicality of the games.
“A second key point is that we will be asking the players to make sure they focus on playing as a team and not try to play as individuals, which could be quite tempting when we have a number of players starting games for the first time.
“The best way to play and perform will be to be part of a cohesive team – that sends out the strongest message.
“Even though there will be lots of changes in the games we would still like to adopt a winning attitude, and at home we want to start building Sixways up as a fortress, that starts from game one.
“Whilst this might be made more difficult with changes during the course of the games, everyone must have the desire to achieve that goal.”
It is not too late to watch the first game on home soil this evening! Call the Sixways Box Office on 01905 454183 with tickets priced at £5 for entry to selected stands. Tickets will also be available on the night.
Season Ticket and Debenture holders are reminded they gain free entry to the match. All fans that enter the stadium will be able to sit where they wish in the stands that are open on the night.