Pubs prepare for the big game crowds

Worcester will fill throughout the afternoon as pub landlords and bar managers reap the financial benefits of top-class rugby staged in the city.

Bars are bracing themselves for a day of revelry, as Worcester's crucial match with Rotherham is televised only hours after a crunch game at the top of football's Premier League.

And the city's pubs will be packed well into the night if Worcester overpower their visitors and virtually guarantee promotion.

"It should be an extremely busy day," said Mike Stevens, landlord of Toby's Tavern, in Sansome Street.

"We'll be packed, hopefully the results will go the right way, but it'll be a good day for everyone in."

More than 15 different city pubs will be televising the match, live on Sky Sports 3, as Worcester's bid to join the Premiership faces their toughest test.

And sports fans from across the county will be hoping the big game atmosphere tomorrow will be a sign of things to come in next season's top flight.

The Courtyard, in St Nicholas Street - another city pub showing the game - has had posters advertising the rugby since Sky announced they were covering the match.

"Quite a few of the players drink here and it should be a good crowd," said Paul Todd, Courtyard's manager. "We always get a good atmosphere and with local interest it should be fantastic.

"The fact is that Worcester are a very good team, it's a top-of-the-table clash and there's the recipe for a great game.

"We are fully behind the Warriors and I'm sure they'll do it."

And Ken Talbot, a barman at RSVP, in The Cross, said they were also expecting Saturday to be very busy, but anticipated an enjoyable day.

"We get a lot of parents and families coming in and we'll have a really good relaxed atmosphere on Saturday," he said.

"We've got four screens and, though football would normally bring more people, the Worcester Rotherham game will definitely be on this weekend."

Coverage starts at 3.30pm and the game kicks off at 4pm.

Other city centre pubs showing the big game include The Pheasant, in New Street, The Exchange, in the Cornmarket, and the Horn & Trumpet in Angel Place.

Why this game is so vital

Worcester Rugby Club - known affectionately as The Warriors - are currently in National Division One: the division below the Zurich Premiership.

If Worcester win this game, they are in a very good position to go up into the Premiership for the first time in history

Worcester are currently two points behind Rotherham, with 105 points. If The Warriors win this game, and score four tries or more, they will have 110 points.

The next two games Worcester play are home against Birmingham/Solihull, who have just 56 points, and away to Rugby, who are at the bottom of the league. If Worcester do as well, as expected, and win both those games, they will have scored 120 points.

Rotherham also have two more matches after this weekend's tie. They are away to Orrell, who defeated Worcester last month, and home to Coventry.

If Rotherham win all their matches - and achieve all the extra bonus points for scoring four tries in a game - they will score 117.

Last November, Rotherham defeated Worcester, at Millmoor football ground, Rotherham. But this time hopes are high. Worcester will be on their home turf, they will have the full force of fans cheering them on - and Rotherham's top try-scorer Michael Wood looks set to miss the game through injury

Where to watch it...

ANYONE without a ticket for this weekend's Sixways title decider can catch all the action live in pubs across Worcester.

The Poacher's Pocket, Tolladine Road, Warndon

The Oak Apple Inn, Spetchley Road

RSVP, The Cross

The Courtyard, St Nicholas Street

Talbot Inn, Barbourne Road

Blackpole Inn, Blackpole

The Vine, Northwick

The Pheasant, New Street

The Exchange, Cornmarket

Horn & Trumpet, Angel Place

The Grosvenor, St John's

Toby's Tavern, Sansome Street

Herefordshire House, Bransford Road

Bridge Inn, Lowesmoor