JOHN Brain hailed his Worcester wonders after they sealed their Premiership future.

The Sixways director of rugby was on cloud nine after Saturday's 21-19 victory over Northampton which secured their top- flight status.

After finishing ninth, they are now in with a chance of Heineken Cup qualification as they head to Saracens on Friday night for a wild-card play-off clash.

And Brain was a proud man after his side notched up their ninth victory of the campaign to keep them up and send Harlequins down.

"It's a tremendous achievement for everyone at the club," said Brain.

"To win nine games in your first season and finish ninth is fantastic. We haven't got massive names in the set-up but we know what we're doing here.

"The achievement is based on recruiting good players, a good coaching team and excellent support behind us. This is a Premiership club that is going places, anyone with a modicum of intelligence can see that."

Now, because of London Irish's defeat at Newcastle, Worcester will focus on Friday's match at Vicarage Road and the chance of a trip to Twickenham.

"That's something we will take very seriously," added Brain.

"We're very aware of the massive prize which is on offer. Everyone at the club wants to be in the Heineken Cup. We have a chance now although we won't be favourites. The players will be in today and we'll plan our week with a view to going through to a Twickenham final."

With the stakes so high during the Saints match, Brain made the decision to tell his side that Quins were beating Sale at half-time.

"We told our players what the score was at Quins at half-time," said Brain. "We felt they needed to know that because, obviously, we're all playing for our jobs. It was 19-10 to Quins at half-time and they needed to know that they had to win in order to stay up.

"They once again showed what a strong group of people they are."

Worcester-bound Shane Drahm did his best to spoil the Sixways party, kicking 11 points and looking a threat in open play all day. But he was relieved that Northampton or his new employers weren't faced with the drop.

"I am pretty gutted that we lost, and I was glad to come off and hear the Quins result," said Drahm.

"The first year in the Premiership is the hardest year and Worcester have done a fantastic job. I am sure they will build from here.

"From my point of view, I wanted to play and Northampton wanted me to play as well. It is professional sport, and you have just got to play."