Mike Ruddock claims Worcester go into their Amlin Challenge Cup opener against Montpellier "buoyed" by a good start to the season.
At Sixways, Thursday October 8, live on Sky Sports 2 &HD2 from 7pm
Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock claims his side go into their Amlin Challenge Cup opener against Montpellier "buoyed" by a good start to the season.
Many pundits had tipped the Warriors to struggle this season, however they have already beaten Leeds and Sale as well as pushing Wasps, Northampton and Leicester.
And Ruddock believes his side, who have also been pooled with Connacht and Spanish minnows Olympus Madrid in the group stages, can carry this form into Europe's second tier competition.
"We go into our European challenge buoyed by a reasonable start," said rugby director Ruddock.
"We've had two home wins and some difficult performances, in terms of being difficult to beat, on the road and picking up some crucial bonus points.
"We think we are in pretty good shape.
"What is key is us being more consistent week in, week out. Against Leicester (last Saturday) there was a lack of accuracy in our first-half attack. That probably cost us.
Rest
"We must keep working as a team, and we will become an even better side. Then, these near misses that we have had in the opening few weeks will transfer to some big wins."
Ruddock has opted to rest centres Alex Grove and Sam Tuitupou for the visit of Montpellier, with Rico Gear and Dale Rasmussen set to team up in the midfield.
Scrum-half Jonny Arr and prop Shaun Ruwers will make their first starts of the campaign.
Montpellier, who have endured a poor start to the Top 14 season, include former England and Lions centre Ollie Smith and Argentina international fly-half Federico Todeschini.
Worcester: 15 C Latham, 14 M Garvey, 13 R Gear, 12 D Rasmussen, 11 M Benjamin, 10 W Walker, 9 J Arr, 1 M Mullan, 2 A Lutui, 3 S Ruwers, 4 W Bowley, 5 K Kitchener, 6 T Wood, 7 P Sanderson , 8 N Talei.
Replacements: 16 J Page, 17 A Black, 18 T Taumoepeau, 19 C Gillies, 20 M Cox, 21 R Powell, 22 J Carlisle, 23 G King
Montpellier: 15 J Schutte, 14 M Dall'inga, 13 O Smith, 12 F Nicot, 11 A Pratmarty, 10 F Todeschini, 9 A Tomas, 1 E Van Staden, 2 M Ladhuie, 3 B Douglas, 4 M Demarco, 5 M Macurdy, 6 V Bost, 7 J Vallée, 8 M Giraud.
Replacements: 16 J Caudullo, 17 N Leleimalefaga, 18 D Hancke, 19 M Castell, 20 M Petitdemange, 21 S Max, 22 J Alcalde, 23 K Kervarec
