Nigel Redman has called on Worcester Warriors to finish the European pool stages on a high against Bizkaia Gernika next weekend at Sixways Stadium.
Warriors rattled up a convincing 80-17 victory on Italian soil over Femi-CZ VEA Rovigo to stay top of Pool 2 on points difference over French giants Perpignan.
However, should Worcester and Perpignan both secure bonus point wins on the final weekend it will be the Top 14 team that progress to the last eight due to their head-to-head record with Warriors.
Redman admitted the European system of qualification did not sit easy with him and he would rather the team with the best points scoring record progressed.
However, he urged Warriors to just focus on their own game and use the clash with the Spaniards to again press for more senior rugby and hone the attacking game.
“What would be really good now is if we look at what Perpignan did against Gernika and we look to do better next week,” he said.
“It is important to us that we finish top of the group. Let’s score more points and then we can put it to the competition committee about the way it works.
“Ultimately I feel it should be about what happens over six games, not about what happens over two and how you do against each other. Like any league, it should come down to points difference or tries scored.
“We scored 12 tries today and I thought Rovigo were better than last time,” he added. “Now all we can do is be professional against Gernika and use it on two fronts.
“Firstly to make sure the players that have been supporting the first team squad and the extended squad get another really good chance to press their claims.
“We also need to work on our attacking game. It’s important when you play sides like Rovigo and Gernika that you give them respect and develop your attacking rugby.”
“Ultimately I feel it should be about what happens over six games, not about what happens over two and how you do against each other. Like any league, it should come down to points difference or tries scored…"