Warriors Head Coach Carl Hogg insists the opening stages of Saturday’s European Challenge Cup clash with La Rochelle will be crucial.
Warriors have kicked off their Aviva Premiership campaign with two wins from four games and will be looking to shift that momentum into their European opener at Sixways this weekend (kick-off 3pm).
But Hogg knows they must start the game on the front foot.
He said: “The first 20 minutes are vital. If we can get a foothold and apply our game then the challenge can be quite different.
“We’ve got to be accurate and clinical in that first period then we’ll see where we sit.”
After picking up ten points in four games of the Premiership, Hogg hinted that this weekend is an opportunity for some of the squad’s fringe players to prove a point.
He explained: “We’re delighted with the start we’ve had.
“We’ve said we wanted some consistency in the first block of four Premiership games and we’ve got that but now it’s a chance for some of the players who have worked equally hard to get their chance.
“We’ll mix it up and give people opportunities to put their hands up.
“The key thing is that we perform as a team and it’s key that those who haven’t played channel their intent in the right way.”
La Rochelle boast a huge forward pack with France international prop Uini Atonio among their ranks – who weighs over 22 stone and measures a menacing 6 ft 5ins.
And Hogg is under no illusions of the task that awaits his side.
He added: “It will be an exciting fixture. La Rochelle have a big forward pack with some flair in behind.
“If we allow them to get some space then they will express themselves and be dangerous like any French side but it’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to.”