FOLLOWING last week’s release of the Aviva Premiership fixtures, Observer’s Warriors reporter Geoff Berkeley gives his view on the league schedule.
HAVING been away from top flight rugby for a year, it is difficult to tell how a Warriors side, which will be boosted by several new additions, will fare against the country’s elite.
But if they are to avoid dropping into the Greene King IPA Championship again, a strong start to their campaign will no doubt be crucial.
Defeats to London Irish and Newcastle Falcons in the opening two months of their unsuccessful 2013/14 season ultimately cost Worcester their Premiership status.
So they will be keen to right those wrongs when they start against Northampton Saints on Friday, October 16.
This fixture might have been a daunting prospect but, with a number of their top players likely to be away on international duty due to the Rugby World Cup, Warriors could not have been handed a better chance to play them.
Sale Sharks and Gloucester are also likely to be depleted when Worcester make the trip to the AJ Bell Stadium and Kingsholm respectively, while Newcastle’s visit to Sixways will offer Warriors the chance to put valuable points on the board.
If they do not post some early wins they could be in for another difficult season, with a trip to Leicester and a home tie against Saracens in May providing a testing conclusion.
However, at least the club is guaranteed to rake in plenty of money, with gate receipts and the number of TV appearances likely to be up, while Warriors’ inclusion in the London double-header at Twickenham will certainly be a huge boost for the Sixways side and their loyal supporters.