Head of Skill Development and Academy Manager Andrew Stanley believes the Worcester’s first ever British & Irish Cup campaign can help the Warriors continue to build crucial momentum.
Worcester face Welsh side Newport in the club’s opening game in Pool A at Sixways this Saturday (kick-off 1pm).
Warriors then hit the road to tackle Doncaster Knights in a rearranged RFU Championship fixture and Scottish newcomers Currie in the British & Irish Cup within the space of three days.
Stanley, who will head up the club’s cup campaign this weekend with Academy Assistant Manager and Skill Development Coach Gary Meechan, is confident the Sixways squad can deal with the number of games.
And he has reiterated that Warriors are taking the cup seriously as they look to quality from a tough pool that also contains Leinster, Plymouth Albion and holders Cornish Pirates.
“The British & Irish Cup is a competition that we see as an opportunity to keep the momentum going from the league and keep the results ticking over,” said Stanley.
“We are taking it seriously and want to do well on Saturday – the team selection will reflect that. In the squad of 22 players that have been selected, the vast majority have represented the first team at some stage of the season.
There will be some younger guys involved, mainly on the bench, and most of those that are starting will have played for the first team at some stage this season.
“The game with Doncaster being called off last week has had an impact on the team we will pick and the Aviva A League game with Northampton was also a casualty of the weather on Monday night.
“That would have been an opportunity for some of the players to get some game time under their belt. The emphasis is now on the British & Irish Cup game on Saturday.
“The week coming up is going to test us as far as the programme is concerned, but the medical staff and conditioning staff are geared up for that and we have looked at how are going to structure the week. It is a challenge, but that is what sport is all about.”
Worcester face Newport for the second time this season having already beaten an under strength Welsh side in pre-season.
Stanley revealed the Warriors had been doing their homework on Newport and he is expecting a stern examination from a side that stunned Exeter Chiefs last year in the pool stages.
He said: “We had a look at some of the Newport players during the pre-season game and we have managed to get hold of some footage of them playing against Llandovery and Pontypool.
“They are a very competitive side and there are a few players known to us, they will be a stiff test. Last year they were in the British & Irish Cup and went down to Exeter and beat them at Sandy Park. They will be fully committed to it and the fact the game is on S4C will give them an added incentive to do well.
“But this is also a chance for our players to impress. Every time that any of our players step onto the pitch it is an opportunity for them to put their hands up and make difficult decisions for the senior coaches within the club.
“We go in with the right attitude, regardless of whether it is an Aviva A League, British & Irish Cup or RFU Championship fixture.”
Tickets remain on sale to watch Warriors face Newport in the British & Irish Cup. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or click HERE for more information.