Windo of opportunity

Veteran prop Tony Windo told The Rugby Club how Worcester are starting to build their own history.

Veteran prop Tony Windo says Worcester are starting to build their own history ahead of the Challenge Cup final against Bath. Worcester are bidding to claim their first major trophy against a Bath side who have lost their last five major finals and the game marks the end of an incredible rugby union journey for Windo. When he first laced up his boots in top-flight rugby for Gloucester, Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister and Wimbledon won the FA Cup, but Windo is hoping to go out on a high at Kingsholm on Sunday by winning his first major trophy in his last ever game. But rather than looking at the past, Windo is keen to emphasise the bright future that is being developed by the Warriors. He told The Rugby Club: "You've got to want to put on the shirt. You've got to want to play for that side and we're doing that here. "We're gradually building a side, adding two or three new quality players every year, but also retaining the quality we've got. "That's how you build momentum and that's how you become the sides like Leicester and Gloucester with great tradition. "You can't buy in tradition, it's got to be within the club. Fair play to Worcester, what we're doing here is doing it gradually."

Blend

More than 400 senior games after his debut, Windo has been a crucial building block at the club both on and off the pitch, helping to bring through young players such as winger Miles Benjamin. And Windo feels the blend of youth and experience at the club has been key to their improvement. "People are highlighting the fact that I made my league debut for Gloucester in the year Miles Benjamin was born, he continued. "I go sprint training with him regularly and it's great that we can bridge the gap!" Benjamin, meanwhile, told The Rugby Club of his admiration for Windo - nicknamed Reg - and explained how the veteran's unique sense of team bonding has helped him to feel at home in the Worcester dressing room. "He's very big on building team spirit," Benjamin said. "I've got used to finding my bag and my towel in various places over the changing room. That's team spirit according to Reg! "He's definitely helped me fit in a lot. He's a great character and he's been in the game for so long that he can only have a positive influence on the young guys like me."