Neither side will need a great deal of motivation and both will be keen to secure a win. Bristol put up a creditable challenge in a tough Heineken Cup group, narrowly failing to secure a Quarter Final place while the Warriors cruised through to the last eight of the Challenge Cup but still cannot buy a win in the domestic game.

Last year, Bristol were seen by many as the season’s surprise package, taking many notable scalps on their way to a third place finish and qualification to European Rugby’s premier club competition. It is fair to say that this season has been more of a struggle with injuries to key players such as Dan Ward-Smith and Shaun Perry taking their toll.

The one member of the Bristol club’s personnel who will be of the biggest interest to most Warriors supporters will be former Worcester Director of Rugby John Brain. The man who did as much as anyone to bring premier rugby to Worcester and then secure top-flight survival for three seasons was drafted into Richard Hill’s coaching team during the close season to work with Bristol’s ever impressive pack. Few of us will ever forget the pride ‘Brainer’ instilled in his side last season when, against the odds, Worcester avoided the drop by stringing a series of results together late in the season that belied their pre-Christmas form. There can be little doubt that this club owes John Brain a huge debt; one which will no doubt be repaid in part by the warmest of welcomes on Saturday afternoon.

So, with the pleasantries dealt with, what sort of game can we expect to see on the field? Well, with the pack that John built coming up against the pack he now coaches we are sure to see a titanic battle up-front. Bristol have bags of experience in their forward line. In the demure and self-effacing (ahem!) Mark Regan Bristol have their talismanic leader, backed up by the likes of fellow front-rowers Alex Clarke, the impressive Roy Hobson and Darren Crompton. In the engine room Bristol can rely upon the Roy Winters, surely one of the best locks in the country, along with the guile of the evergreen Gareth Llewellyn – the one player in the Premiership older than our own Tony Windo. In the back row Bristol can turn to the likes of Matt Blowers, the combative Alfie To’oala and the nous of Joe El Abd.

While Bristol are noted for the strength of their pack it must be stressed that they are no slouches behind it. The loss of Shaun Perry was undoubtedly a blow but in Brian O’Riordan they have a reliable replacement. He teams up with the dangerous Jason Strange. Finally,who can ignore the pace and invention provided by brothers Luke and Tom Arscott? Those who do can expect to pay a hefty price.

Bristol will certainly start the game as favourites in most pundits’ eyes but Mike Ruddock and Clive Griffiths will no doubt have targeted this game as a potential home win. Form is temporary but class is permanent, as they say, and the class recently added to the Worcester side is starting to have an impact. Loki and Sam are starting to form an understanding in the midfield and Rico’s super try against Bucuresti on Saturday illustrated the potential he brings to the side. Thinus Delport is playing his best rugby since coming to Sixways. But perhaps the biggest revelation of the season has been the introduction of Miles Benjamin. With his pace and strength the free-scoring winger has announced his presence most eloquently. It now really looks as though we have a back line which will cause real concern to our opponents.

Up front the ever present Tevita Taumoepeau remains solid as a rock alongside Aleki Lutui, Darren Morris and the promising Matt Mullan. The forward battle will certainly be formidable but if the big guys can secure enough ball then we now have backs to use it to great effect.

So Veston, I hear you cry, what about a prediction? Well I’ll stick my neck out and say Worcester to win by five points and a rousing reception for the return of King John.

See you on Saturday.

Veston Pants

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