"Positive Auch" - Hooper

Auch may have some strictly domestic worries but they go into the European Shield final against Worcester at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (5.00 pm) with their New Zealand -born prop Jason Hooper declaring: "We are feeling really positive about the end of the season.
"To win the European Shield would be massive," said the former Wellington Hurricanes Super 12 front row forward.
"Despite our domestic league worries, a final is a final and European rugby is very important to us. We have worked really hard to earn our place in Oxford on the 21st.
"We have been watching Worcester and we know that they have a very strong pack and speed in the backs. They have done really well this season as a newly promoted team and we are not underestimating their abilities.
"Although it may seem that Worcester have a home advantage with the game being played in England, I don't think it makes much difference to us. We do travel quite well and in a final I don't think the venue really matters - as long as it's not a home ground!
"We have really solid set pieces, our pack is strong and mobile and although some of our playing style is a little unorthodox - the Auch scrum half has been the line-out thrower all season - it is effective.
"To be honest, we are more concerned about the effect of playing three games in seven days will have on us. The weather has started to get warm and the heat really fatigues the players.
"But we don't have any injuries and hopefully that will continue until a final that we are all looking forward to."