AT a time when the punishing schedule of our top rugby players is under scrutiny, you might think the European Challenge Cup would be viewed as an unwelcome addition to the fixture list.

The competition struggles to attract enough spectators to fill half a Premiership stadium and receives virtually no national coverage at a time when the Heineken Cup takes centre stage.

While very little enthusiasm is mustered for the Anglo-Welsh Cup, coaches across the continent have a curious affection for Europe's second-tier club competition.

Clearly you need something to fill the European weekends and it is generally viewed as an improvement on the European Shield.

That particular competition saw Worcester trawling through the backwaters of Europe without any prospect of qualifying for the Heineken Cup.

And it is this prize which gives the Challenge Cup it's validity. Without it, there would seem little point in putting your best players in the firing line.

Warriors fans will not need reminding that Pat Sanderson picked up a back injury in an ERC match with Connacht last season that would keep him out over Christmas and well into the New Year.

Despite his setback, the Warriors captain remains a fan of the tournament and argued in his Worcester News column this week that the next two weeks can have a big affect on their season.

Sanderson pointed out what the club needs most of all at this moment in time is a win. He also suggested next week's trip to Clermont Auvergne could be one of the toughest his team have faced this season.

In that sense, the ERC can be useful preparation not only for the Premiership but also the Heineken Cup, should Worcester ever secure themselves an invitation to Europe's top table.

Head coach Anthony Eddy believes the format works well in that respect.

"I think it's a good competition," he said. "It replicates the Heineken Cup in a number of ways. It's good to have a home-and-away basis for this competition and also to be playing teams from France or Italy or wherever.

"It gives you a chance to see what they are doing overseas."

Of course, the main reason clubs like Worcester hold the Challenge Cup in such high regard is because it represents their one chance of winning silverware.

The EDF Energy Cup is es-sentially pointless - the smaller clubs have more chance of finishing in the top four of the league than they do of winning that particular trophy.

But Warriors made it to within touching distance of the ERC final last season before being edged out by eventual winners Gloucester. They barely broke sweat to make it out of their group.

It serves other functions as well. Youngsters like Uche Oduoza and Simon Whatling were given a taste of the action in the pool matches and have gone on to push for regular inclusion in the team.

And while it does not generate the same atmosphere as a Premiership match, the fact there is less pressure often encourages exciting and free-flowing rugby.

A case in point was Worcester's superb exhibition of attacking rugby at Northampton in last year's quarter-final along with some explosive performances from Oduoza in the early rounds.

If they can start playing some exciting rugby and start gaining some valuable wins, it will do their season far more good than harm.