ROTHERHAM may be a distant memory for many Worcester supporters today. The focus this year is on a successful promotion bid and this season's closest rivals, Orrell.

For two seasons, however, the South Yorkshire side were Worcester's nemesis, a foe who seemed to always have that little bit extra when it came down to the wire.

The sight of Russell Earnshaw brings those memories flooding back but, this time, the man who played a massive part in two league titles has switched sides. The foe has suddenly become a friend.

Spirit

Ironically, the casting off of a formula which had proved so successful has led to Earnshaw's defection. Rotherham, for so long a club backed up by their team spirit and community ethos, have decided to kick that into touch and opt for a more expansive route.

Steph Nel's introduction and his transfer policy ruined any hopes of Earnshaw enjoying the Premiership experience at Millmoor but also ended an era and a culture of a club. Rotherham were once the side who were fully in touch with their roots, a club who often enjoyed the clear contrast with Worcester, the new kids on the block.

If Earnshaw's move shows us anything, however, it is that things don't stay the same for long.

"Rotherham has changed massively since we were at Sixways winning promotion," said Earnshaw.

"When Worcester came calling, it took two seconds to say yes because, obviously, I know all about them. If you talk to any of the Rotherham players then they'd love to play at Worcester because of the set up here. It's top class.

"I know a lot of the guys here, you get to play in front of big crowds and get to play attractive rugby and, as a player, that's obviously a very attractive proposition."

The past eight months, however, have been a real roller-coaster ride for the 28-year-old. Used to winning match after match at National One level, Rotherham have suddenly had to wake up to the reality of Premiership rugby. Anchored to the bottom of the table, without a win all season, relegation is inevitable.

"I hadn't lost a game in National One for two seasons before the start of the Premiership," added Earnshaw.

"It's almost soul destroying for the guys at Rotherham. It's a shocker for the guys who aren't playing and it's not much better for the ones who are.

Downward

"It's miserable. When you're winning, everything is different. You have a lot more socials, training isn't as hard whereas when you are in a losing run it is a downward spiral.

"The coaches often think the players need to be coached harder but then the players aren't fresh for the weekend.

"It's hard to accept because we'd come from National One, an environment where we'd win every game, not always because we were the better side, but because we had the habit and the mental toughness."

It is the key component of every championship team. To have that winning mentality, to develop that mental toughness. For so long, Rotherham were held up as the masters. The team with all the answers. If Earnshaw can bring anything to Worcester's promotion bid, it is that mentality.

"I remember watching Rotherham play Manchester last season and Manchester should have won the game. However, we won in the end through just knowing how to win, just having that winning habit. We didn't play well but we won the match.

"You do need that mentality to win promotion. The core of the squad had played together for years and years. They played for each other and we had a real team spirit. It is a mental toughness which sees you through some games that maybe could go one way or the other.

"You can't coach it. It's a mentality, it's a desire to go that extra yard, to make that extra tackle in order to win the game.

"You look at the match at Worcester in April between the two. Worcester should have put the game away in the first half but they didn't and that's where the mental side kicks in.

"I hate losing. I am the world's worst loser. I will do anything to win because I just cannot accept losing. I don't think that's a bad thing.

"Hopefully, I can bring that to Worcester. I haven't come here to sit on the bench but I accept that it's a new club and I have to work hard to get my chance. It's something I'm relishing, though. As I said, I'm a bad loser."