Bath v Worcester: Teams

The European Challenge Cup final sees key players from both Bath and Worcester bidding to bow out on a high on their final appearances for their respective clubs.

The final - a third all-English affair in six seasons - will see England pair Steve Borthwick and Olly Barkley make their Bath farewells before respective moves to Saracens and Gloucester this summer, while Worcester's departures include Japan-bound trio Shane Drahm, Thinus Delport and Drew Hickey.

Reaching the final stage was a phenomenal feat in itself for the Warriors, especially considering the South West side have never finished the Guinness Premiership season higher than eighth - while relegation was only avoided by a solitary point last year.

And whatever happens in Sunday's final against Bath at Kingsholm, England international and Worcester captain Pat Sanderson is convinced Worcester are making significant strides forward.

Motivated

Sanderson said: "Right from the outset, my ambition when I came to this club was to make it successful.

"Winning a cup final would be a big stride forward, both for me personally and as a club.

"The big change we are in the process of making is changing our culture from one that is motivated by survival and staying in the Premiership, to one that is motivated by being successful.

"I guess, ultimately, that is measured by success and winning cup finals."

Victory over Bath would give Worcester a prized Heineken Cup spot next season and a place among the European elite - just 13 years after they were crowned Midlands Division One champions.

A win would represent a remarkable achievement for the club and Mike Ruddock, Wales' 2005 Grand Slam-winning coach, who was appointed Worcester rugby director only last summer.

He said: "Winning the tournament would be about so much more than just the trophy.

"It would not only be our first piece of silverware, but a piece of European silverware and a big step in the history of this club.

"We want to win this piece of silverware, and the Heineken Cup spot next year would be the icing on the cake."

Bath news

Bath make three changes from the side which suffered Guinness Premiership play-off heartache against London Wasps last weekend.

Top try-scorer Nick Abendanon comes in at full-back with Joe Maddock moving to the wing in place of Andrew Higgins in the only change of personnel in the back line.

In the pack, Bath welcome back influential hooker Lee Mears in place of Pieter Dixon, and David Flatman starts at prop as David Barnes misses out through a calf injury.

Bath boss Steve Meehan believes capping off a fine season with victory at Kingsholm would come as a just reward for the high quality performances his side have put in throughout the course of the season.

"We've had to show an enormous amount of courage, I believe, to continue down this path of trying to play expansive rugby and team rugby," said Meehan.

"I think it would be fitting if they (the Bath team) could come out this weekend and end with a trophy."

Bath will be determined to avenge last year's 22-16 Challenge Cup final defeat to Clermont Auvergne and ensure the departing Barkley and Borthwick bow out with some richly deserved-silverware.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens; 1 David Flatman, 2 Lee Mears, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 7 Michael Lipman, 8 Daniel Browne.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Zak Feaunati, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Tom Cheeseman.

Worcester: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell; 1 Tony Windo, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Drew Hickey, 7 Pat Sanderson (capt), 8 Kai Horstmann.
Replacements: 16 Chris Horsman, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Netani Talei, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 Joe Carlisle, 22 Rico Gear