BACK row Marco Mama insists Warriors cannot relax just yet and must stay focused as they head into next weekend’s clash against the Aviva Premiership’s ‘best attacking threat’.
The Sixways outfit travel to the Ricoh Arena to take on league leaders Wasps next Saturday as they look to edge closer to Premiership survival, whilst currently holding a seven-point cushion above Bristol with five games remaining.
The flanker is under no illusion it will be a ‘huge challenge’, but is adamant Worcester are a ‘different beast’ to the side that lost 32-22 in Coventry last January, having led for 78 minutes.
“It’s been a bit of a tough season with injuries, so it was a surprise to get the call up to play Bristol. After a long wait for selection it was nice to get out there and get some game time under my belt,” said Mama.
“I have a lot of respect for Bristol being a former club, but we were brilliant. It was probably the best we’ve played all season, especially in that first-half. It was very enjoyable and it’s nice to see the hard work (Director of Rugby) Gary Gold is putting in is paying off.
“It’s given us a lot of confidence going forward, but we still can’t relax. Bristol have shown a lot of quality this season so we must continue to improve and develop. There’s a level of requirement from all the players to produce what Gary and the coaches want.
“I’ve enjoyed a change of scenery with a short break to New York, but now it’s back to training hard ahead of facing Wasps. It’ll be a huge challenge as they’ve got heaps of quality across their team. They will test our defence in every way possible.
“They’re playing some very good rugby at the moment, but we’ll be looking to catch them off guard like we did last season at the Ricoh.
“I think we’re a very different beast to the team we were back then and there’s no better team to test our style of play against than the team with probably the best attacking threat in the Premiership,” he added.
Warriors’ Premiership clash with Wasps kicks off at 2.30pm.