Worcester Warriors’ Premiership Rugby Cup success can help propel them to the EPCR Challenge Cup title and a spot at Europe’s top table, according to former fly-half Andy Goode.

Boss Steve Diamond delivered the club’s first major trophy as the Warriors prevailed on tries scored after drawing 25-25 with London Irish after extra time at the Brentford Community Stadium in May.

And despite it being a step up in quality, Goode believes the Warriors’ recent cup exploits can be the foundation for a successful EPCR Challenge Cup run and a shot at fulfilling their ambition of earning a place in the Heineken Champions Cup.

He said: “With Steve Diamond being fresh at the helm over the last six months, they want to be competing. Their aim is to get into the Heineken Champions Cup and one way to do that is winning the EPCR Challenge Cup.

“Winning the Premiership Rugby Cup final is a great start, but it’s a bigger test in the EPCR Challenge Cup. 

“You have got to win your home games and try and pick up a few points away from home and then you get to the knockout stage and try and back yourself.

“Winning knockout games is very different to winning Pool games and the experience they have from winning the Premiership Rugby Cup last year will certainly help them.”

The EPCR Challenge Cup and Heineken Champions Cup welcome the exciting addition of South African sides for 2022/23 and Worcester are one of the teams who will travel to the rainbow nation having been drawn with the Lions and Benetton Rugby in Pool B.

Despite the challenge of playing at altitude and overcoming the logistics, Goode reckons the Warriors should relish the chance to play at Johannesburg’s famous Ellis Park, a prospect which he believes will leave Diamond “licking his lips”.

Goode added: “Playing the Lions in Joburg will be a tough ask, any team will find it difficult going over there. You’ve got to adapt to the Highveld and understand the pace of the game over there. It’s something to look forward to.

“For me, looking at the draw, I would be wanting to go to South Africa to play over there and test myself against the best players from that country and the best teams in this competition. 

“But also, it’s the experience of a lifetime to get over there and play, few rugby players get that opportunity. I’m sure Steve Diamond will be licking his lips.

“The Lions have been previously one of the best South African teams. They are in the EPCR Challenge Cup this year but it’s going to be a fabulous test to play at Ellis Park in such a historic stadium.”

Italy’s premier side Benetton came 13th in the United Rugby Championship compared to Worcester’s 11th-place Premiership finish and with the likes of Azzurri flyer Monty Ioane in the side, Goode believes they will be tough opposition to overcome for his old side.

He said: “Benetton are the best Italian team and won the Rainbow Cup last year, so they are a team stacked full of internationals and that’s what you want to test yourself against.”

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is the tournament organiser for the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, featuring the very best club rugby teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales and – for the first time from the 2022/23 season – South Africa.