In their debut European season the Warriors defeated the Italians both home and away on their way to the European Shield final, where they lost to Auch.

Nowadays Worcester are a far more experienced outfit when it comes to competing abroad yet still managed to set new standards last week.

Worcester tore up the record book with their biggest European win over newcommers Bizkaia Gernika, including a hat-trick for teenage centre Max Stelling.

There was more good news for coach Richard Hill with the return of Ed Shervington, Andy Short, Neil Best and Jake Abbott from injury and all will look to take another step back against the Italians at Sixways.

Femi-CZ VEA Rovigo, who saw experienced players leave in the summer, suffered their third worse defeat in Europe at the hands of Perpignan last week despite the best kicking efforts of Stefan Basson.