ANY Worcester fans rubbing their hands at the thought of taking on a Sale team decimated by injuries and international call-ups need only cast their minds back to February 11, 2006, for a reality check.

On that occasion, a Sharks side similarly affected by the Six Nations ran in half-a-dozen tries at Sixways on their way to securing the Guinness Premiership title.

When the home side runs out at Edgeley Park tomorrow night, many of the names will be familiar to those who witnessed the 48-33 defeat last season but the context of the match could not be more different.

Sale are attempting to win their first league match since the first week in January while Worcester are fighting for their Premiership lives.

Long-term injuries to major players - most notably Charlie Hodgson and Jason White - have undermined Sale's defence of their title but nobody in a Warriors shirt will be taking their opponents lightly, according to director of rugby John Brain.

"Sale have lost a lot of matches recently. I feel very sorry for (director of rugby) Philippe Saint Andre and the season they have had because they have got a very strong squad and he has had injuries to key players and, on the back of that, he gets international call-ups," said Brain.

"I think they will be determined to break their slump against us and they will still go on the field with nine or 10 international players.

"Any team that contains the likes of Andrew Sheridan, Chris Jones and Mark Cueto is potentially a good team."

Warriors go into the game as the form side having broken their Sixways duck against Bath last week.

That win was founded on the home side's dominance at the set-piece but Brain expects a different sort of challenge this time around.

"Sale have the ability to play a more fluid attacking game at home than Bath," he said.

"They are capable of cutting loose. I would expect them to pose us more problems than Bath did in attack if they get the ball."

Despite the visitors' scoring potential, Worcester do have some grounds for optimism.

Since last season's hiding, they have developed a defensive resilience under the guidance of Phil Larder.

The former England coach has kept a low profile since arriving at Sixways at the end of last year and only spends around an hour a week working with the players.

But there can be little doubt about the impact he has had and Dale Rasmussen, described by Brain as the team's "defensive captain", has given an insight into Larder's approach.

"Since Phil Larder has been on board, he has got the boys to buy into defence and take a bit of ownership," said Rasmussen. "That's key to a good defence.

"It's everyone knowing they have to do a job and, if they don't, they let down the other 14 guys.

"I think that is where we are at the moment."

While Rasmussen admits he has a "big responsibility" to live up to Brain's billing, he believes the Bath victory created the momentum which can carry Worcester all the way to safety.

"We have given ourselves another chance to stay alive," he said. "The boys are confident and, providing we go up with the same kind of attitude, we shore up our defence and we hold ball, I don't see us losing."