Mike Ruddock insists his Warriors are ready for the ultimate test as they travel to a cauldron of pressure at Leeds Carnegie for a must win Guinness Premiership showdown on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
Worcester know only a victory will be good enough at Headingley Carnegie as they look to extend the club’s six year stay in the English elite.
Director of Rugby Ruddock acknowledges his Warriors will face a stern examination against a Leeds side that impressed him against London Irish last weekend.
However, his players are ready and keen to repay the dedicated Worcester fans that have stood by the side throughout the campaign.
“We have got to win on Sunday, even a few months back we knew we would have to go to Leeds and win, nothing has really changed in that regard,” he said.
“I went to watch Leeds play London Irish and, in fairness to them, they tackled really well, defended really well and forced them into a few errors.
“The test will be very similar for us, Leeds will put pressure us with their kicking game and defence and we have got to be accurate for 80 minutes.
“Last weekend against Wasps we were accurate for 60 minutes, but for the first 20 we weren’t. Those blips and moments must be taken out of our game this Sunday.
“There will be twists and turns on Sunday, as much as we want to dominate the game and be ahead there could be times when we could be behind. We need to draw on our reserves and we can come back and fight to the last minute and second.
“We have the top point scorer in the league in Willie Walker, we have scored more tries than Leeds and Newcastle, we have conceded less points and tries than teams around us, including Gloucester and Harelquins.
“What we haven’t done is nailed down those tight games. Sixty percent of the games we have lost or drawn we have been within seven points of the opposition. It shows we are there or thereabouts and we have to close out those tight games.
“We have got a great fanbase and fantastic fans,” added Ruddock. “We need to pay them back with a victory. To thank them for the support all season and thank those that will come and back us on Sunday.”