This is the big one - Eddy

Worcester Warriors know what it takes to win on French soil - they beat Montpellier in last season's European Challenge Cup - but coach Anthony Eddy accepts that high-flying ASM Clermont Auvergne will be an even tougher challenge.

The Warriors are top of Pool 5 by virtue of their five-try win over Viadana at Sixways with their French opponents kicking-off with a victory in their strictly French affair with Albi.

"Clermont will provide us with a totally different challenge - it is going to be a lot more confrontational and physical over there on Saturday," said Eddy.

"We will have to be a lot more precise at the set pieces, control our possession and not give the ball away cheaply as we did against Viadana.

"I have had a brief look at Clermont and they are going along extremely well in second place in the French Top 14 so they are obviously a team in form.
"They are a very well balanced side across the park, they are exceptionally strong at forward and have some classy and speedy backs behind.
"We know that Albi will also be a difficult away game for us but I guess this is the big one.

"However, we will be going over to France looking to put in a top performance and, if we can sneak a win, well and good but we certainly will be going to get something out of the game.

"I was happy with the win against Viadana but not with the performance.

"It is vital to win your home matches in the European Challenge Cup and we did do that with a try bonus point but we turned over a lot of ball and did not really put them under any great pressure.

"We will need to improve on that performance on Saturday."