Warriors plan a pitch inspection ahead of Newport game

Worcester Warriors will play in the British & Irish Cup for the first time

Worcester Warriors will have a pitch inspection on Friday lunchtime (1300 GMT) to determine whether Saturday's game against Newport can go ahead.

"We obviously would like the game to go ahead as scheduled as it will be shown live on S4C," said Warriors general manager Charlie Little.

"But we have experienced temperatures of up to -9 over the last fortnight and these penetrate any frost covers."

The British & Irish Cup tie could still be rearranged for this Sunday.

If the pitch is adjudged to be unplayable for Saturday (already scheduled for a lunchtime kick-off, 1300 GMT), then the game could be put back 24 hours, to comply with tournament regulations.

"We haven't had the snow other parts of the country have endured which would have insulated the pitch and protected it from frost," Little told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"The rain last weekend cleared any snow we did have but as a result we have been left with a pitch that had a few inches of frost within it.

"The warmer weather has removed any surface frost, but it does remain within the pitch.

"It is frustrating because the pitch is no longer white and looks playable but it is still rock solid."

Warriors, whose trip to Doncaster has been rearranged for next Wednesday night (15 December, 1930 GMT), are already facing the prospects of playing three Championship matches in a week following previous postponements.