Worcester Warriors: Matt Everard says progression ‘won’t be a straight line’

As for Coventry, head coach Rae says they make the short trip down the M42 and M5 mindful of the attention surrounding this fixture.

“Obviously it’s been at the back of our minds,” he told BBC CWR.

“It’s already a sell-out. It’s a fantastic set-up and, by their own admission, it’s a Premiership ground with Premiership squad and Premiership coaching staff.

“So, listening to all that, we’ve got no chance – so that’s a really good place to be.

“It’ll be really interesting to see how we cope and I’m quietly confident the boys will be in a really good place.”

Under this season’s refresh, the Champ has increased to 14 teams following the addition of Worcester and National League 1 winners Richmond, and there is now the prospect of relegation and promotion play-offs.

“I think this is the most competitive the league’s been in years,” Rae said.

“We’ve kind of always separated it into a top four but I think now you’re looking at six, seven or eight teams who fancy getting into that top six.

“I think there’s some jeopardy thrown in there now and there’s a lot more to think about.”

Rae said he thinks Cov can go “under the radar” after their summer rebuild as they hope to improve on their sixth-placed finish last season.

“This year, Worcester’s on everyone lips and [reigning champions] Ealing are a top, top team – they’re going to be the proven ones who’ve been there and done it,” he said.

“We’ll have a game plan. There’ll be quite a lot of emotion for them with it being their first league game. It was probably their cup final against Bath.

“It’s going to be really important for us to go there and quieten the crowd down.”