TICKET sales for Worcester Warriors’ massive Championship final second leg against Cornish Pirates at Sixways have smashed through the 7,500 barrier.

A bumper attendance is guaranteed for the May 18 showdown (7.45pm) with the season’s previous record crowd — the 7,474 fans who watched the league fixture with Bristol in October — having been surpassed already.

Huge interest in the second leg of the final, and with it a potential return to the Premiership, has seen the Warriors box office inundated with requests for tickets since they were made available on Monday.

Warriors general manager Charlie Little said: “We have seen a phenomenal response from our fans this week to the final with Cornish Pirates and we are delighted to confirm that we will have the biggest crowd of the season at the second leg.

“The outstanding level of support we had at the semi-final played a big role in a positive result and we are now urging supporters to crank up the noise levels again as we need a repeat of that atmosphere.

“I would encourage fans to act as soon as possible to guarantee a seat for what promises to be an historic day.

“Evening games under the floodlights at Warriors are always memorable and the final with Pirates will be as good as anything fans have ever experienced before and is one not to be missed.”

Warriors are hoping to take a good advantage into the second leg of the final, following Wednesday’s pipe opener in Penzance (7.45pm).

Sixways head coach Richard Hill has no fresh injury concerns with captain Chris Pennell ready for action and Jake Abbott pushing for a starting place after impressive showings on his return from a long-term knee injury.

Hill said: “You look at the two legs almost as two halves of the game, but it is so crucial that you try and win your first match. Bristol found that out last year.

“If you are content with losing by the odd three or six points, then that is not good enough. The one that wins the first leg is in pole position — so the opening game is crucial.

“When we play the first leg down at Pirates, we have got to start well be-cause I firmly believe that if we go 16-0 down against them — like we did against Bedford in the semi-final — then we are not going to come back.

“Pirates are a very good side who are playing well. They are also a very physical team and we had some tough battles against them. They are the only team to beat us in the league.”

Tickets remain on sale for the second leg with Cornish Pirates, while there are also still a few corporate hospitality packages left. Call the Warriors box office on 01905-454183 or log onto warriors.co.uk.