Worcester’s first televised appearance of what was dubbed ‘The Ruddock Revolution’ came to typify the club’s stuttering start under their new Director. However, 12 months down the line, and a significantly more self assured Worcester are preparing for the return fixture.

Worcester’s hopes for a closer affair will be dented by what is by any standard a debilitating injury roster. First team regulars Sanderson, Garvey, Horstmann, Bowley, Pennell and Rasmussen are all out with long term problems along with Hal Luscombe who actually arrived injured. Fly half Matthew Jones, a player who has slotted into the Sixways line-up slickly with a series of polished displays, also misses out on a return to his old club with ligament damage, as does England U20 star Miles Benjamin, who sustained a muscle tear against Bucharest. When this is coupled with the suspended Chris Horsman, things start to look bleak.

Worcester, though, will have the option of choosing from their stars on Sunday, with none of Rawlinson, Tuitupou or Gear being available against the Ospreys this time last year and the arrival of Latham still being the best kept secret in Rugby. The problems of the incomplete squad last year were also compounded by difficulties adapting to the new and flowing style of play that the ex-Wales chief was trying to instil in the previously forward dominated Worcester psyche.

However, it is a more self assured team that makes the trip down the M4 this weekend, having taken some impressive scalps in the second half of last season, and stringing together some impressive performances, marred by simple lapses in concentration or bad luck in the first half of this. The injury ridden squad will play this game much in the same way that they have the rest of the year, by producing a good display despite missing key players.

The Ospreys are a formidable opponent for any team and on paper at least would beat any club in Europe. There are few week links in the team, and as is now well known, a substantial proportion of their team is in fact the Wales squad. Whilst their forwards pack a punch, with the Jones Brothers (The Hair Bear Bunch) Ian Gough and Welsh captain Ryan Jones providing a steady bedrock, from which Hook, Henson, Byrne and Williams can run riot when the mood takes them.

However, at times last season, and in fact this season, it has been, ‘when the mood takes them’. Their form has become famously erratic, and considering the line up they field, they could be classed as the Northern Hemisphere’s chief under-achievers. A searing run to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup was halted by Saracens last year after Ospreys unaccountably lost momentum, and although they rarely field their full strength, the Magners League was allowed to slip from their grasp.

Although Worcester lead the group, and in fact hold a fairly remote chance of continuing to the semi finals with a game in hand, Ospreys will enter the match at the Liberty as favourites, and it will require a mighty effort from a depleted Worcester to leave with the points. However, stranger things have happened, especially when the Ospreys are involved.

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