JOHN Brain believes Manchester will be going all out to spoil the Sixways party tomorrow as Worcester Rugby Club kick off their league campaign (3pm).

The Gold'n'Blues head coach feels, after Manchester watched Worcester's 47-3 weekend defeat at Sale in their final warm-up game, that they can clinch victory in the National One clash to give Brain an early season headache.

Manchester and their director of rugby Alex Keay, who famously labelled Worcester as rugby's biggest underachievers last season, are aiming for a top four finish this year and Brain is well aware they will travel to Worcester all guns blazing.

"I'd expect them to have watched our game against Sale," said Brain. "They have probably concluded from that that they can beat us."

Manchester played a Sale side recently in a friendly and put, in contrast to Worcester, 14 points on the scoreboard during a 43-14 defeat. However, Brain believes the two games were completely different encounters.

"I don't think you can compare their result against Sale with ours. On Saturday Sale played a first choice side against us while in the Manchester game they were still experimenting with their squad.

"There were a number of positive aspects to come out of our Sale match but I wasn't happy to concede seven tries."

Worcester did the double over the men from Grove Park last season, taking 10 points from the two games. However, Brain is not expecting an easy ride this time around.

"They are a spirited side who will not give up. At times in their friendly with Sale, they caused them some problems. Manchester is a game that we expect to win though but we know we will have to work hard."

With a bonus point on offer for four tries or more in the National league Division One, the reward is there for the taking but for Brain, his priority is a win, first and foremost.

"The first priority is to win and that applies to every game. We are not going on to the field looking for four tries, we will look for a win and if we can achieve that with the bonus point, then all the better."

Manchester have, like Worcester, had a busy summer recruiting players. Scrum-half Wayne Morris has joined a number of players from relegated Waterloo including their former skipper Paul White.

Ex-Orrell props Alistair Livesey and Steve Kelly have also signed up along with Owen Lucas, a winger from Cardiff College.

Lock John Gunson arrived from Newcastle, while Matt Leydon and Dave Muckalt have come from Rugby Lions. Skipper Steve Swindells stands by to make his long awaited return from a serious knee injury.

"This season we are aiming for a top four finish and Manchester are determined to keep pushing to become the number one side in the North West, although every English club should genuinely aspire to be European champions," said Keay.