PAT Sanderson is used to these Brive encounters.

Worcester Warriors' skipper will come up against the Frenchmen for the third time in his career tomorrow, hoping to make it a hat-trick of victories.

Back in 2001, the flanker was part of a Harlequins side that brushed past Brive on their way to a European Challenge Cup final victory over Narbonne. Ben Gollings and Daren O'Leary were scorers for Quins that day in May when Sanderson enjoyed his first taste of European success.

Three years later and Sanderson was at it again as he and his Harlequins team edged out Montferrand in the final after beating you know who on the way.

Lucky omen? Possibly, but Sanderson is well aware that the Euro contest against Brive at Sixways will be an eye-opener in more ways than one for the Premiership new boys.

"Brive are full of talented players and a very interesting side to play against," said Sanderson. "However, they are quite a different proposition when they play at home."

The suspicion is that Brive may yet bring over a partially weakened side for the Sixways clash before unloading their full artillery on Worcester at their place next weekend.

"The atmosphere over there is electrifying and it really is wonderful because that's the sort of thing that you play for. It will be a real experience for our players but I'm sure they'll enjoy it.

"I've been lucky enough now to be involved in two European cup winning campaigns and I know the tournament very well.

"For me, it's a fantastic competition and I see it as an opportunity for us to qualify for Europe next season.

"Brive are such a big name in European rugby and tomorrow's game will be a cracking one. Certainly, for supporters, it's an opportunity to sample European rugby and Worcester's first ever game at this level.

"What we know, though, is that Brive will be very tough to beat over two legs. I think, though, that these games are massively important for us this season. Of course, staying in the Premiership is our priority but we've got to look at these matches as opportunities to carry on our momentum."

Most observers would concur that Worcester are moving in the right direction. Narrow defeats to Leeds and Gloucester came hot on the heels after the triumphant victory over Quins. Sanderson, though, isn't getting carried away.

"We might be there or thereabouts but we're not there yet," he added.

"There's a lot of work to be done but I think people can see that we are getting better week in, week out. All the players are determined to put their bodies on the line for the club and we've pushed sides close in recent weeks.

"The difference between winning and losing at Premiership level is so small so we have to work hard on our mistakes and improve each week."

Sanderson was probably the biggest name arrival in the summer as he took the unusual step of moving out of a comfort zone and into the treacherous waters of a newly promoted club.

So, on paper, you would expect the England sevens star to be one of Worcester's stand out performers so far. He hasn't disappointed and suddenly, with a gaping hole in England's back row, Sanderson is being touted as the solution.

That speculation was hardly dampened by England head coach Andy Robinson's Sixways visit on Saturday but the obvious question is played with the straightest of bats.

"I didn't talk to Andy Robinson on Saturday," said the former Sale man. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not thinking about it.

"If that comes then, of course, that would be wonderful but I have to be totally focused on Worcester. All I can do is play to my best every week for Worcester and help them to be successful. Anything else for me is a bonus."

You have to suspect that another big performance against the French tomorrow could yet nudge him closer to that bonus.