THERE can be no doubt that emotions will be running high at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow when Worcester Warriors take on Ospreys in the EDF Energy Cup.

Fly-half Matthew Jones returns to the region that released him in 2007 following a serious knee injury and the emergence of Welsh hero James Hook, while scrum-half Ryan Powell, a former Cardiff Blue, returns to the land of his fathers.

It is not just the players that have deep roots in the principality, it’s the Warriors coaching team too.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock made his name both as a player and coach just a couple of miles down the road from the Ospreys’ Liberty Stadium, home at the famous St Helen’s ground.

Turning out for Swansea 119 times and scoring 43 tries in the 1980s, Ruddock nearly broke into the Wales team before a work accident ended his playing days.

He returned in 1991 to guide the Whites through a golden period of two Welsh league titles, a Welsh Cup and a famous victory over the then world champions Australia.

While head coach Clive Griffiths was part of John Plumtree’s coaching staff at Swansea at the turn of the millennium, helping them to another league crown before the Whites and Neath joined forces in 2003 to become Ospreys.

So, when the pair return to Swansea tomorrow, it will be Ruddock and Griffiths’ first time in the Liberty dug-out.

“It was the scene of many enjoyable days,” Griffiths recalled.

“Mike and I had the pleasure of coaching Swansea. He had a bit longer there than me — they were very memorable times.

“Going back there with my family, supporters of the Os-preys, it’ll be very interesting, but they will all be for the Warriors.”

The former Doncaster Knights boss is looking forward to pitting his wits against the Ospreys tomorrow, but he is hoping for a better time than when the two sides locked horns at Sixways almost a year to the day in the same competition.

The Welsh team strolled to a 47-16 win before going to on to beat Leicester in the final.

“We felt we let ourselves down last year,” he rued. “It was a long day at the office.

“This will be a benchmark game for us. We want to show them how far we have come.

“We have got hammered down here and we are seeking to put that right.

“Both teams have won their opening EDF games so it is an interesting one and whoever wins this will be favourites to qualify.”