ROTHERHAM coach Jim Kilfoyle is delighted with his side's form heading into tomorrow's National One showdown with Worcester at Sixways.

The former Wakefield man, who used to coach at College Grove with Worcester's assistant boss Steve Townend, has seen Rotherham make an immediate recovery from last season's relegation misery.

They have chalked up three bonus point victories to boost hopes of an immediate return to the big time.

And the Liverpool-born coach is warning Worcester, his troops are coming to the boil at the right time ahead of tomorrow's clash of the titans (3pm).

"We had a very difficult start to the season," he said. "We had two awkward away games at Wakefield and London Welsh and then Coventry at home who are always a problem.

"During the turmoil of last season, we made up our minds that we would benefit from our Premiership experiences and to keep the core of the side together. And we've done that.

"Not only that, we feel we've actually improved on our weaknesses from last season so I'm happy with the set-up. The pack that started last week, all eight were in the Premiership last year. That continuity is important."

The league leaders, like Worcester, have recruited a number of new players including John Cannon, Jason Kayter and their new inspiration, Italian fly-half Ramiro Pez.

"We were looking for another fly-half and after watching him he showed he had great heart and his goal kicking is excellent. He's been everything we'd hoped he would be," said Kilfoyle.

Even though the pressure is on Worcester to win their home clash, Kilfoyle is looking for maximum points.

"It's a clich but we concentrate on the next match in front of us and the target club next is Worcester. We are obviously looking to win the game. Bonus points are a secondary factor.

"It will be a Premiership encounter because both teams are worthy of playing in the top flight," he added.

Worcester squad: Tuipulotu; Garrard, Hinshelwood, Yates, Stanley, Chal-mers, Smith; Windo, Ross, Lyman, Zaltzman, Morgan, Clarke, Jones, Jenner, Roke, Yapp, Pellow, Sims, Evans, Moreno, Hall, Davis.

Rotherham squad: Umaga, Kayter, Cannon, Shepherd, Massey, Northey, Pez, Harrison, Sculley; Thorp, Johnson, Toews, Bunting, Gravil, Cook, Kenworthy, Parr, Greeff, To'oala, Schmid, Spence, Earnshaw.

* Worcester's Academy team take on Yorkshire Schools at Sixways tonight (6.30pm). The academy team is: Stirling; Sheridan, Moule, Bennett, Crowe; Sutton, Rowett; Ralph, Button, Keylock, Percival, Rawlins, Richard-son, Jenkins, Miller. Reps: Thomas, Howell, Farmer, Higley, Fincher, Coombes, Walker, Cyphus.