Mike Ruddock's Worcester are a game away from the Heineken Cup

Mike Ruddock admitted the transition from coaching Welsh village club Mumbles to Worcester boss was tough.

But the 2005 Wales Grand Slam-winning coach's Warriors are now only a game away from next season's Heineken Cup.

Worcester face Bath in the European Challenge Cup final on Sunday, with a place in Europe's top event on offer.

Ruddock said: "At first the Premiership was difficult and I was probably a bit ring-rusty after working with Welsh Division Three South West Mumbles."

Ruddock arrived at Sixways more than a year after his successful spell with Wales reached an abrupt and controversial conclusion and was soon joined by his former national defence coach Clive Griffiths.

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In their first season in charge, the duo have guided Worcester to safety in the Premiership, finishing above Newcastle and relegated Leeds.

After waiting until January for their first league victory, Worcester went 10 Premiership games without a win.

Ruddock added: "Coaching at Worcester was a big step up. The Premiership is a tougher league than I imagined it was. It is an incredibly difficult league to perform in week in, week out.

"You have only got to look at what has happened with Gloucester. To 'win' the league after 22 games and then go into play-offs and lose, you see how difficult it is to win the title.

"We under-performed at the start of the season and I have got to take responsibility for that and for not delivering the goods.

MIKE RUDDOCK FACTFILE 2005: Made an OBE after Wales won the Grand Slam 14 February 2006: Departs as Wales coach in controversial circumstances April 2006: Takes up a role with a recruitment agency 2006-2007 season: Helps coach Mumbles 1 May 2007: Succeeds John Brain as Worcester boss

"Hopefully, we've turned the corner now and we've got the sort of players as well who can adapt to a slightly wider game with a lot more continuity."

Ruddock said the Warriors were now turning away players anxious join the club and expects to complete his recruitment for next season in the days following the clash at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium.

Australia full-back Chris Latham and Wales international centre Hal Luscombe have confirmed their arrivals, but more are on the horizon, including a fly-half replacement for Japan-bound Australian Shane Drahm.

Ruddock said: "What has pleased me most about the last part of our recruitment programme has been the interest in the club. Players want to join us.

"They see us as a club that is moving forward, a club that has recruited strongly, a club that brings through young players and a club that is playing quality rugby.

I think Bath will be a wounded animal now and they will be twice as determined to finish off their season on a high note Mike Ruddock

"Those are the messages we are getting, which is really pleasing and very encouraging. We are turning away a lot of quality players at the moment who have indicated they want to join us."

Having seen Wasps end their Premiership title hopes, Bath will also arrive at Kingsholm knowing their last four cup final appearances have all produced defeats.

Ruddock said: "I think Bath will be a wounded animal now and they will be twice as determined to finish off their season on a high note.

"They've played great rugby all season, they've moved the ball wide and played with great continuity. They've been the form team for a lot of the season."