STAND-in skipper Tony Windo has experienced the highs and lows of captaincy in the past fortnight.

On cloud nine after the dramatic win against Leicester -- the performance may not have been perfect, but the result was historic -- he then saw the team under-perform against table-topping Sale.

That the 36-year-old prop believes a loss at the Premiership leaders was a 'golden opportunity' missed tells its own tale about the club's lofty ambitions.

But, with tonight's fixture against Bristol in mind, the veteran Warrior is keen to draw on his side's more modest experiences to ensure there is no repeat performance.

"This time last year we were in Bristol's position, as the new boys, so we know exactly how they feel -- out to prove that they are Premiership material," he said. "They want to prove people wrong, just like we did, and they have already shown they are a quality side.

"I think that's helpful for us because we can see it from the other side of the fence. The backs-to-the-wall mentality is a dangerous one.

"We know that feeling from last year and it's a great motivator. There is no way we will underestimate them."

In more than six years as a Warrior -- and his time with Gloucester before that -- Windo has seen it all.

He has endured anxious waits to see if his contract would be renewed, has suffered several promotion near-misses and, thanks to years of consistent performances, the reluctant hero is now in the limelight as skipper.

However, his recent experiences leading the side have changed nothing about the way he tackles the on-field challenges.

"Being captain doesn't affect the way I approach things because we have such good quality players here and a lot of experience," he said.

"It's not a case of running around after people telling them what to do, because we train hard, have a structured game plan and people know their roles.

"We didn't turn up against Sale and we need to make sure we put it all into action against Bristol."

Club captain Pat Sanderson, himself preparing for a huge match as England take on New Zealand tomorrow, is in no doubt Worcester's pack will be key to overcoming their West Country rivals.

He said he felt Bristol would provide one of the toughest physical challenges of the Premiership season to the Warriors' eight.

And Windo, at the centre of the scrum and set-piece battle, agreed the forward contest would set the tone of the game.

"Bristol will be a massive challenge up front," he said.

"That's where the game starts and that's where we have to lay the platform."

And that is where the hours of exercise, fitness and conditioning that the Warriors put in during the week, with coach Phil Richards, pay dividends.

It not only means Worcester's front eight can battle for a full 80 minutes, it also means experienced campaigners like Windo can carry on in a high impact position into their mid-30s --and beyond.

Explaining his longevity, Windo admitted: "A lot of it is reasonably good fortune. I've had my share of injuries but none have been too serious or career threatening. And it's not necessarily to do with age because with Phil Richards we do some great conditioning and strengthening work.

"Each programme is adapted for different positions and that really makes a difference in today's game.

"There is every kind of fitness exercise you could come up with and we are lucky with the quality of that training here at Worcester."

And if the Warriors' two leaders have called it right, that could ensure the Sixways side gets back on the winning track tonight.