STEVE Townend is backing Rotherham to end Worcester's Premiership dream in this afternoon's big one.

The former Sixways coach is in the perfect position to judge the two sides after his Wakefield team played the National One front-runners in consecutive weeks.

And Townend believes the South Yorkshire club will have too much for the Warriors at Sixways.

"Both sides are extremely good with the ball," he said. "But I think that Rotherham have the edge when they don't have the ball. Worcester are the better footballing side, by quite some distance I believe.

"When it comes to out and out talent, Worcester have more talent and ability and perhaps more pace.

"But Rotherham have that aggressive edge. That grit and determination that I'm not sure that Worcester have if I'm honest. The difference is that Worcester can be susceptible when they don't have the ball.

"In certain areas, Rotherham have more physical presence than Worcester have and that will be decisive. If I was a betting man I would say that, even though the game is at Worcester, I feel as if Rotherham have that edge.

"If Worcester could deal with the forward power and the very direct running of their backs, then I see no reason why they could not win but I have my doubts as to whether they will be able to cope."

Townend, who left Worcester in 2001 after just six months as backs coach alongside Sixways director of rugby John Brain, is convinced, however, that the Warriors would light up the Premiership if they did win on Saturday.

"I think Worcester would do better in the Premiership," added Townend. "They have probably got more fire power in the sense that they are a more complete and more of an all round side than Rotherham. In a funny way, Worcester would cope better than Rotherham.

"In a one-off game like Saturday's, which is almost like a cup final, I'm not sure they are best equipped to come through it.

"I'll be watching. I've a lot of interest in it. It is a very difficult one to call but, if I'm honest, I'd have to pick Rotherham."

Rotherham beat his side 55-0 last week to leapfrog Worcester and go back to the top of National One. They lead the table by two points with both teams having three games left.

A week ago, Worcester came away from Wakefield with a 55-36 victory. Rotherham's clean sheet, though, put them ahead in the points difference stakes.

Amazingly, there is just one point separating them after over 2,000 points have been shared between both sides this season. Rotherham are on +704 while Worcester have a difference of +703.