Head Coach Richard Hill admits he expects his players to leave the icy surroundings of Sixways behind them and be greeted by a red-hot reception when his Warriors face Perpignan on Saturday evening (kick-off 9pm local time).
Worcester travel to the Stade Aime Giral to face Top 14 giants Perpignan after edging the French side out 22-21 when the teams met at Sixways last week.
Hill acknowledges his Warriors can expect a hostile welcome and wall of noise when they arrive in Perpignan as the French team know only a positive result will keep their Amlin Challenge Cup bid alive.
However, he insists the Warriors are both excited and fired up for the challenge ahead with the destiny of Pool 2 in the competition still wide open.
“The players are excited about the game. Having won at home to Perpignan it sets us up for a fantastic second game away,” said Hill.
“It will be a really tough game but hopefully a bit warmer out in Perpignan than it is here. I certainly expect a warm reception.
“I think they were hurt by being beaten by our scrum here and they couldn’t get their drive going. Perpignan pride themselves on that aspect of the game so I can’t imagine they will be very happy.
“There will be a few scores to settle and we had the better of their pack last time so we know what to expect. It is a matter of pride for a French team and the supporters will demand that their pack is on top of ours.
“We have got to match the physicality and it’s a challenge we are looking forward to. We know what is coming; they are hell bent on getting to the quarter finals so they will throw the kitchen sink at us.”
Worcester will announce the club’s European starting team on Friday morning but Hill has already revealed lock Dean Schofield will return to skipper the team and centre Jon Clarke is also handed a starting spot.
He added: “I want to bring Dean back in to captain the team. James Percival has given a lot for this club over the last few games and it is the right time to look after him.
“Dean wants to come back in and I’m pleased he has come back in to captain the team. That is a great change for us.
“It’s also about time we brought Jon Clarke in so the likelihood is he will play instead of Josh Matavesi. I might look at others, but those two are key for me to give them a chance.
“Danny Gray is also fit and he will be on the bench to cover Andy Goode. We have been keeping our fingers crossed that Andy would come through games without injury and that is what he has done. Now Danny Gray can support him.
“Dean has a very good knowledge of French rugby and he has been desperate to get a start,” he added.
“It has not been easy for him over the last three games so it is right he comes in now.
“The French will be wary of him; they know him from playing so well for Toulon in his years there. He is a big physical presence and we are going to need some big men to combat their pack.”
“It will be a really tough game but hopefully a bit warmer out in Perpignan than it is here. I certainly expect a warm reception…"