WORCESTER Warriors will be looking to end a winless festive period on a high when they tackle Bath in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend.
The West Country side arrive at Sixways on Saturday (kick off 3pm) to face a Warriors side who fell to a 25-17 defeat at reigning champions Saracens at the weekend.
Defeat at Allianz Park came eight days after a heavy 32-6 home to reverse to Northampton Saints and saw Warriors fall to 11th in the Premiership table, level on points with basement boys Newcastle Falcons.
Alan Solomons side are winless in the Premiership since November but gave Saracens an almighty fright before going down to defeat in a titanic struggle.
Tries from Duncan Weir and Ben Te’o gave Warriors a 14 points lead after just 12 minutes before Saracens, still smarting from defeat at Exeter last week, hit back.
Weir added a penalty late in the first half but Warriors were unable to build on their encouraging first half performance and were unable to add a further score in the second period while the champions nailed down victory with tries from Calum Clark and David Strettle.
But it was another resilient performance from Warriors who again showed character in adversity. Already without the injured Nick Schonert, Josh Adams, Marco Mama and Ryan Mills Warriors lost Michael Fatialofa on the morning of the match through illness.
Off the field, Warriors have been boosted by the news Scott van Breda has become latest player to commit his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract.
The versatile back joined Warriors from Greene King IPA Championship club Jersey last summer but suffered a shoulder injury on his debut in the pre-season friendly against Benetton Rugby in Treviso.
Van Breda made his Gallagher Premiership debut against Northampton Saints and he has become the eleventh Warriors player to sign a new contract this month following Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Matt Cox, Michael Heaney, Jamie Shillcock, Matti Williams, Isaac Miller, GJ van Velze, Duncan Weir and Will Butler.
“I have just had a couple of tough years moving around a lot and it is nice to have some stability again,” van Breda said.
“There is so much potential in this team and I am looking forward to cracking on now.
“It was a no-brainer signing on for two more years. I am thoroughly enjoying myself here. I have made so many friends here and there is a good group of guys who are also staying on which can also bode well for the future,” he said.