We showed some great running and the tries were well worked and showed a precision that has been lacking for a while. So now we have possibly the most important match of the season for us. This is not just because we have the chance to almost secure our Premiership future, a possible 18 point gap would suggest that we should be safe, but also it is the chance to prove that the team truly belong in the top flight. Getting the team fired up for playing Sale and Leicester is easy, but how will the team face up against another team fighting for their survival.

The last time we faced the Tykes we were well and truly beaten, but for a rally in the last five minutes. We should have won that game but we didn’t and need to make amends this weekend. We have to show that we can be ruthless in all games and against all types of teams. Leeds have a formidable pack but I feel on our day we are more than a match for them. They have some good backs too, Biggs being the main attacking threat but again with the new fluency we have in our backs we should have the upper hand here. This is what I feel is Mike Ruddock’s contribution to our play, we always had a feared pack but were light and not too fluid in the backs. We were a crash and back team but now we seem to use the full width of the field to pull teams apart as we did a few times against the Tigers on Saturday.

On this point my main men from last weekend’s performance were again pretty much the same as Sale. Shane Drahm again showed us the class he showed in his first season for us and is making it hard to bid him goodbye. Marcel Garvey has been given a start with the injuries to Rico Gear and he has taken it with both hands, and not knocked on. He is looking like player we hoped we’d signed a couple seasons ago, the player knocking the door of England. And finally Reg, again 70 minutes against a Leicester pack and still he came out on top. A true legend that Mike Ruddock is trying to coax into one more year. Go on Reg you know you want to.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Hal Luscombe our new Warrior’s signing. Hal looked very good when he played against us at the Stoop and I for one hope he can get the form back that saw him an important part of the Grand Slam Welsh team of a few years ago. He is a big strong centre who, while is not in the same league as Dale in tackling, is a potent force going forwards. Could he be a good foil for Sam T next season? Only time will tell but it adds competition for places that can only be good for the team.

I also wish Matt Cox and any other Worcester players involved in the U20’s 6 Nations squad all the best for their game this weekend. Matt scored a try last weekend and is I hope one of the stars of Worcester’s future. It was good to see Mike Ruddock mentioning him the Birmingham Post this week and I hope that Matt can establish himself next season as Miles and Tom Wood have this season. Anyway enough from me this week, I have waffled on for far too long. I think it will be a nerve wracking game on Sunday but with 9000+ Warrior fans in full voice I am sure the team can make that step towards another season of Premiership rugby.

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