MANY have wondered how we would approach our European adventure. Would we play a reserve side? Would we look upon the Challenge Cup as a welcome distraction?

Well, the truth is that we are relishing our next challenge. I remember this time last season getting involved in the Powergen Cup games against the likes of Harrogate, Exeter and finally Wakefield. I recollect saying at the time that the cup for us, while we were trying to win National One, was a hindrance.

Now, European competition is a different matter entirely especially when you draw a name like Brive. I have experience of them from my time at Quins in 1997 when we faced a top quality outfit. We played them in the Heineken Cup back then and that was the year that they went on to beat Leicester in the final in Cardiff.

Obviously, from Worcester's point of view, I know Thomas Lombard cannot wait to get stuck into the game for obvious reasons while Pat Sanderson has also played against them for Quins. There are plenty of links and Saturday at Sixways promises to be another wonderful occasion for the club.

It is the very first step into European waters for Worcester and, for rugby connoisseurs, it is a game not to be missed. It's the tie of the round in the competition, there's no doubt about it, and they will bring with them some wonderful players and an ambitious approach.

But, the question is -- how do we fit this game into our schedule of Premiership survival? Well, we see it very much as an opportunity. There is very little pressure on us and Brive will come to Sixways as big favourites in the two-legged tie. What must be stressed is that, even if we win on Saturday, the tie will be far from over. Going to Brive will be quite an experience next week and a totally different proposition. The atmosphere over there will be quite something!

Hungry

For players such as Clive Stuart-Smith, Ben Gollings, Phil Murphy and Steve Sparks it is a big chance to show us just how hungry they are for the shirts. When you have a big squad with so much quality, then you would be foolish -- when you get an opportunity -- not to explore different combinations. We'll have a look at how Clive has settled into life at Sixways while the second row pairing will be really interesting. Supporters have been used to seeing Craig Gillies towering above everyone. Well, now they will get to see just what Phil Murphy can do.

It's a great test for our front row and I know Steve Sparks and Chris Horsman are relishing the challenge against a French front row. We always say how much respect we have for French rugby and those props will be loving the idea of going head-to-head with foreign opposition. Sparks has had plenty of experience of French rugby after playing for four years out there so he'll know exactly what to expect -- a battle!

What I would hope is that the tie appeals to supporters because it would be nice to think we could re-create last Saturday's atmosphere. The first ever Worcester-Gloucester Premiership derby was wonderful to be involved in but it would have been even nicer if we could have come out on top.

Credit to the players, however, because they pushed the Cherry and Whites so hard and we were within a whisker of beating them. Even though we lost the match, I thought the boys controlled much of the game. Really, with a rub of the green, the result could have been so different. I think it was significant that Nigel Melville (Gloucester's director of rugby) paid tribute to Worcester afterwards. We have always said we wanted the respect of the Premiership and week by week, people are beginning to realise we are not a Rotherham. What's important for us is that we feel we are making progress every week. We're not struggling to stay with teams. We mean business in whatever competition we play in and we'll be going all out to mark our first European match with victory.