IT WAS a day home-grown scrum half Jonny Arr vowed never to experience again.
On April 25, 2010, a youthful Arr was left devastated as Worcester Warriors’ six year stay in the top flight came to an end following a 12-10 defeat to Leeds Carnegie.
Although the academy graduate went on to have one of his best seasons for Warriors as they returned to the Premiership in fine style, Arr insisted he did not want to find himself in the Championship again.
And the 25-year-old said he would be using that as added motivation as he prepares for Warriors’ must-win clash against Saracens on Saturday.
“I can remember the last time we were relegated and it was a point in my career that I vowed never to return to,” he said. “We went to Leeds knowing we had to win to stay up, but we fell short and paid the ultimate price, so it is definitely something I don’t want to go through again.
“It is a bit of a weird one because having been relegated that year the following year we played some really good rugby and had some really good times.
“But I don’t want to go through it again. I would rather put in the hard work now, fight for everything and hopefully we won’t have to go down to that level again.”
Warriors will have it all to do, though, as they will need to beat leaders Saracens at Allianz Park and Gloucester at Sixways eight days later, while hoping Newcastle Falcons fail to pick up a single point, to avoid the drop.
However, Arr said his teammates only need to look at Warriors’ history of surviving on the final day to see anything was possible when the Premiership draws to a close.
“I remember watching the final day against Saracens in 2008 when the boys had to win to stay up,” he said.
“It was at home and there was a great buzz around the club and I think everyone knew going into the game that they were never going to lose, so if we can install that belief across the squad in the next two weeks then I am sure it will help us along the way.”
He added: “I think a lot of teams also underestimate us coming to their place and think we will just roll over.
“But at the end of the day we are the ones fighting for our lives and it is that time of year when special things can happen.
“They are not unbeatable as London Irish have shown and we have got one and a half weeks leading up to that game to do our analysis and formulate a plan which will give us the best chance to get that victory.”