Worcester Warriors are relishing the chance to make up for last season's European Challenge Cup final heart break.
Warriors Head Coach Clive Griffiths is excited about their Pool draw which threw up tough trips to Bourgoin, Petrarca Rugby and Bucuresti Oaks as they look to go one better than their final defeat to Bath at Kingsholm in May.
"You've got to aim for the top, we did that last year and look what we achieved. There's no reason we can't do it again and go one better especially with the support that we have here at Sixways Stadium, together with the ever increasing band that travels away," commented Clive Griffiths.
"I am very confident about this draw and can't wait to get it all underway. I feel we are in a very winnable group and if we come through as winners it should give us a great platform to progress to knock out stages and come back from last season's heartbreak against Bath - and go one better! Even though we came 'second,' the competition as whole was good for us and helped turn our season around."
Worcester's European Challenge Cup run last season run saw the Warriors reach their first major final only to lose out 24 to 14 to Bath
The Head Coach went on to discuss what Warriors could expect from their pool three opponents.
"Top Tier opponents Bourgoin, are no slouches, they will be bitterly disappointed at missing out on the Heineken Cup having been a regular feature of that competition. With this in mind we will need to be very wary of them and wait to see what team turns up on the day. Our focus will be key, but it's a fixture I am sure the Warriors faithful will be looking forward too."
"Like all Italian teams, Petrarca will be a committed bunch and big, powerful opponents for us to deal with. Defiantly not one to underestimate, especially on their turf."
"And lastly the return to Bucuresti. I would love to say I was looking forward to it, but after torrential rain mixed with sub zero temperatures and several players complaining they thought they had hyperthermia let's say I'll be packing the thermal underwear and a warm coat! But seriously, again they are a very strong and committed team which on their day can give anyone a tough match, as it turned out in Bucharest last season."
