IF the memories of Millmoor are still lodged in the psyche of Worcester's Warriors they can hope for closure on Saturday.

Rotherham arrive in town for what is undoubtedly the biggest 80 minutes in the club's history.

The sense is of a gathering storm around a game of potentially epic quality. Rather than fearing the champions, however, Worcester should view it as a golden opportunity.

It is an agonising -- and familiar -- question for John Brain and Andy Keast as they urge their players to make an emphatic statement of Premiership ambition against their old nemesis. How do you beat a team which simply swept Worcester aside in a second half of utter despair at Millmoor?

The November 38-13 defeat told every Premiership pundit what they already believed deep down. It was that Rotherham were hungrier than Worcester, they wanted it more. That perception was not so much underlined but set in stone as the Warriors saw a 13-6 half time lead crumble into that abyss which has haunted the club for three seasons.

First Leeds, then last year Rotherham and in November it was a familiar sight for Worcester supporters as the players fell to their knees at the final whistle. It was a result that proved the Worcester snipers correct. They had their evidence.

It may be a somewhat revolutionary thought but how about looking at the record throughout this season?

Saturday's meeting does give the Sixways stars a glorious chance of personal redemption in front of the wider rugby fraternity. But it will also offer up the possibility that Worcester, despite the dominant perception, are the outstanding team outside of the Premiership.

Worcester, pound for pound, have proved beyond doubt that they are technically more gifted than Rotherham. They may have been physically exposed in the second half at Millmoor but if you take that memory out of the consciousness, you have to look at the bare facts.

Almost 1,100 points scored in the league, 164 tries to go with it. Some of Worcester's play has been mesmerising this season - the best ever at Sixways. Phases at London Welsh and Manchester were simply breath-taking while defensive determination at Plymouth, Exeter and Bedford made a mockery of the suggestion that Worcester were a soft touch.

The loss at Millmoor was carved from a second half collapse but it is worth remembering that Worcester were not only leading but could have easily gone into half time more points to the good had they taken their chances. And the abiding memory of the match for me was Rotherham's inability to cope with the pace and speed of thought of Tim Walsh, a big time player who is a certainty to impose more Aussie rule if he wins his place for Saturday.

It is Rotherham who should be scared -- they have everything to lose. The champions are perceived to be the number one team outside of the Premiership and it is an identity they cling to with some pride.

Worcester have nothing to fear. They have the ammunition to shoot down Jim Kilfoyle's men as long as they go into the game with complete and utter belief in their ability to impose themselves on the opposition.

Players such as Chris Garrard are proven against Rotherham while the nous of Duncan Roke will have occupied the Rotherham minds this week. Add to that Walsh's masterclass at Millmoor and they could be forgiven for reaching for the underdog tag as they focused their minds on Sixways.

Any pack would have missed the experience of Christian Evans and the Welshman will be a pivotal player alongside a lineout which is now functioning at its metronomic best. First and foremost the physical challenge must be met but, you have to believe, that Worcester have the ability to blast away any self doubt through their sublime talent.

"We got bogged down last time thinking too much about the opposition," said Brain, Worcester's director of rugby.

"We probably knew the underwear size of all the Rotherham players! This time, though, we have to remember we are at home. We are unbeaten here in the league at Sixways and have the best home record of any National One club. We will concentrate on our game plan."

"Attack is the best form of defence for this team," added coach Keast. "If we sit back and defend, I don't think we'll win any game.

"The players have to show the passion and desire to execute the game plan but also to give that extra 10 per cent. They have to want to jump that bit higher in the lineout, they have to want to push that scrum and make their tackles tell.

"Our players have got to come to the party. We want them to play, we are telling them to go out and play. We have confidence in them. When they cross those white lines, I know they will have confidence in themselves.

"There's no doubt about it. This is the moment of truth for them."

For them and for Rotherham. We know well enough that sport is a workable metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The truth, though, is something which is not always abundant in the sport of lions.

On Saturday, there will be no hiding place. The brutal truth will be unravelled on the Sixways turf. And it might just shock one or two locked away in their Premiership ignorance.