Warriors go to war for Heineken Cup
Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:10
Worcester Warriors' 31-16 defeat of Newcastle Falcons means they are just one win away from their first European trophy and passage into the Heineken Cup.
Worcester Warriors coach Clive Griffiths believes his side can continue their winning ways in Europe and make it a perfect nine out of nine to win a ticket into the Heineken Cup next season.
The Warriors will meet Bath in the European Challenge Cup Final on Sunday May 25, following their 31-16 demolition of Newcastle Falcons in Friday's semifinal at Sixways.
Four tries flowed from the home side as they belied their poor Guinness Premiership form to put themselves into their first major final – and 80 minutes away from a ticket into the big time in Europe.
"Worcester Warriors in the Heineken Cup? That sounds pretty good to me," said Griffiths.
"We've fully deserved to reach the Challenge Cup Final this season and now we are 80 minutes away from winning the title and booking a place in the Heineken Cup. We know we will be facing a quality team in the final whoever wins between Bath and Sale Sharks.
"But because of our form in recent weeks I think whoever gets through will respect us. It is amazing to think that just before Christmas we were sitting at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership.
"Now the players are playing with confidence, they are enjoying the new game plan and anything is possible in cup rugby."
Worcester skipper Pat Sanderson will be chasing his third Challenge Cup winners medal having twice triumphed with Harlequins, while scrumhalf Matt Powell was also in the Quins team in 2001.
"Even though this will be the first major final for Worcester, there is a lot of experience within the squad," added Griffiths.
"It is going to be a major, major day out for the club. The fans deserve it after sticking with us through the dark days earlier in the season."
