IT LOOKS increasingly as though Worcester Warriors fans are facing another nail-biting, nerve-jangling end to the season.

After escaping relegation in the last match of the season last year and almost immediately appointing Grand Slam winner Mike Ruddock as director of rugby, there was a feeling that this would be the season the Sixways outfit established themselves in the Guinness Premiership.

But it hasn't really worked out that way.

Some tremendous performances in Europe have not been matched by domestic results and Worcester head into the last couple of months of the season with just a solitary win to their name.

Another frustrating night on Friday saw the Warriors lose by just a single point to London Irish. A bonus point at least gave them some more breathing space in their private battle with Leeds to avoid relegation.

The Yorkshire team's visit to Sixways in a few weeks' time is shaping up to be one of the most crucial in Worcester's history. Win and Premiership status will be virtually secured for next season, lose and it could all go down to the last game again.

Preserving Warriors' Premiership place is vital for the club and the area. Regular 10,000-plus crowds bring much-needed visitors to Worcester.

That can only improve with big-name stars such as Chris Latham joining in the summer and ambitious plans to improve the stadium. But they have to stay up.