Coach Andrew Stanley has urged the Warriors to grasp the opportunity to take another step towards some silverware when they face Bedford Blues in the semi-finals of the British & Irish Cup on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Head of Skill Development and Academy Manager Stanley will take charge for the cup fixture at Goldington Road alongside Academy Assistant Manager Gary Meechan this Saturday afternoon.
Stanley admits the Warriors will make changes to the starting line-up for the cup encounter after the 11-try rout of Bristol Rugby in the RFU Championship last weekend.
However, he insists the team travelling to Bedford will be fired up and keen to book a place in the final against either Pontypridd or Bristol.
“We’re really looking forward to the game,” said Stan. “It is a great opportunity for the team.
“It is a semi-final of the cup and a fantastic opportunity to have a crack at some silverware, which is something you should cherish as a player or as a coach. If you’re fortunate enough to get these opportunities you want to take them.
“We don’t see this cup as a hardship, it is a chance for a lot of the squad to put some game time in and we are very fortunate in the players we have got available to us.
“A lot of boys are still fit and healthy and we can compliment that with the bench that played on Saturday who will get some game time.
“We are playing boys who have played a lot of first team rugby, not only just in the RFU Championship but also Premiership and at international level.
“We have got a nice strong squad to take down to play what I imagine will be a good Bedford side in a very competitive game.
“We will also have some Academy boys involved as we have done throughout the competition. It has served them well to use this cup as a springboard. Matt Kvesic and Andy Short are two cases in point. Matt especially has managed to push himself into the starting 22 for RFU Championship games as well.”
Stanley and Meechan have already take charge of numerous British & Irish Cup games this season for Warriors, having run previous line-ups against Newport, Currie and Leinster A.
And he admitted they had enjoyed the experience and were looking to extend the run beyond Saturday afternoon.
“It’s been a fantastic experience, for me and Gary,” he said. It’s been a great chance to get our teeth into some coaching on a more regular basis and full credit to Richard (Hill) for giving us the opportunity.
“It is also, from a medical and conditioning staff perspective, the chance for others to get involved and experience the match day edge that comes with a competition like this.
“We look forward to Saturday and are going there to play a game of rugby,” added Stan. “Bedford are a good side and have a great home record, we are going to have to play well to beat them and feel we have got a side to do the job.
“It is crystal ball gazing to try and guess what they will do, all we can control is the side we put out and they will be fit, healthy and very well prepared. We will give the respect they deserve and put in a good performance.”