Points machine Andy Goode is all set to clock up another major milestone on his return to the Aviva Premiership – but the Worcester star insists team glory and not personal achievement is the only factor on his mind on opening day.
Warriors make a return to the top-flight of rugby this Saturday afternoon at Sixways when they welcome Sale Sharks (kick-off 3pm).
Goode hopes to be selected to make his English elite return and perform in a league that he has already won on four separate occasions during a glittering career at Leicester Tigers.
The former England international kicking ace could also mark his return by clocking up another record and dislodging another fly half legend. Goode currently sits in third in the all-time Premiership points scoring charts on 1484 points and is just five points behind second placed Jonny Wilkinson (1489 points)
Another trademark points haul on Saturday could see him take second spot behind runaway leader Charlie Hodgson (1870 points). However, Goode insists making a winning return with Warriors is the only thing that matters.
“I know when I left the Premiership a few years ago I was top points scorer, but that is the sort of thing you look at when you are at the end of your career,” he said.
“I am just focused on Worcester and not myself – winning this game on Saturday is what matters. We have got a winning habit from the Championship and hopefully we can carry that into Saturday.
“It’s going to be a difficult afternoon, Sale have signed a lot of new players and have lost some to the World Cup. In terms of form and statistics that makes them hard to look at so we have focused on ourselves,” he added.
“Steve Diamond has come in and made changes so that makes them hard to predict. They will, however, definitely be primed and ready to go come Saturday. They will have a lot of skill and determination.
“It’s a new era for them but it is also for us back in the Premiership, it’s a massive game all round.”
Goode also believes Worcester need look no further than last year’s promoted team, Exeter Chiefs, for inspiration on the opening weekend.
“Exeter won their first game of the season and that set them on their way. They made it hard for teams to play at Sandy Park,” he said. “We need to do the same thing here and make it a fortress and hard for teams to come here and play.
“The first game is a massive stepping stone for us but if we can start on the right foot and come away with a big performance and win then we hope it will all go well after that.”
Tickets for the clash with Sale Sharks remain on sale from the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or by clicking HERE