JOHN Brain has urged his fringe players to make up his mind on Saturday.

Worcester's director of rugby will watch with interest at the Kassam Stadium as his side go head-to-head with Auch in the final of the European Shield.

A number of players, such as Jon Hylton, Neil Mason and Siaosi Vaili, are battling to win new Sixways contracts for Worcester's second season in the Premiership.

And Brain wants his squad players to show their hunger as the Warriors go in search of their first European trophy.

"There are a number of players whose futures are undecided at the moment," said Brain.

"People like Jon Hylton, Neil Mason and Siaosi Vaili come into that category and what we've always said is that if we do bring somebody into the club, they have to be better than our existing players.

"They have an opportunity on Saturday to perform and put themselves to the forefront of my mind. It's a chance for them after limited rugby this season.

"We are looking at the back row and wing areas as regards to next season. However, these players have the shirt at the moment."

Worcester have made no attempt to hide their lack of enthusiasm for the Shield competition but hope that the weekend will be a day out for their supporters.

"They have been tremendous for us this season," added Brain. "So, it's a good day for them and hopefully they will be at Oxford in force."

Meanwhile, Brain has issued a hands-off warning to Gloucester amid rumours that Thinus Delport is wanted back at Kingsholm.

The former Springbok switched from Gloucester to Sixways last summer after the Cherry & Whites failed to come up with a suitable contract offer. However, with them now struggling at full-back, Delport has been linked with a return.

Brain, though, will block any attempt to prize the South African away from Sixways.

"Maybe Gloucester are ruing their decision to let him go, but he's in the middle of a two-year contract," said Brain.