Hill knows a win at Old Deer Park would see Warriors top the group

Worcester Warriors head coach Richard Hill expects the play-off trip to London Welsh to be a tough encounter.

The Warriors have beaten London Welsh three times this season and Hill says this will make Welsh doubly determined.

"Even though we have beaten London Welsh three times now they really do feel they can beat us," said Hill.

"They have always felt they were one of the favourites to get promoted and they have always been really disappointed that they have lost to us."

Andy Goode, who has scored over 300 points this season, returns at fly-half and he will link up with scrum-half Jonny Arr at half-back.

A win for Warriors would guarantee them a home semi-final in the play-offs and Hill is aware that London Welsh go into the game desperate to avoid a semi-final trip to Penzance.

We have prepared, trained well and are expecting a difficult contest Worcester coach Richard Hill

"This will be close as we have had a couple of hard battles with London Welsh," Hill told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"They will be looking to try and top the group so this really is the decider as to whether it is them or us that tops the group.

"At the moment London Welsh are facing playing a semi-final away at Cornish Pirates so they are going to fighting like mad to avoid that."

In addition to the changes at half-back, Hill has also opted to switch things around in the front row where Adam Black, Chris Fortey and Tevita Taumoepeau will pack down.

Kai Horstmann continues to captain the team in the absence of Chris Pennell while Aleki Lutui and Bruce Douglas provide front row firepower from the replacements bench.

Hill says his squad have to go into this match totally focused and prepared for what could be very tough conditions.

"It will be a bone hard pitch and I have been down to play myself at Old Deer Park myself when it is rock hard and a fast game," said Hill.

"We earmarked this game as being the group decider so we have prepared, trained well and are expecting a difficult contest."

There will be full commentary on Worcester's game at London Welsh on Saturday, 9 April on 104 FM and online at bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester.

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