MIKE Ruddock insisted his Worcester Warriors side should enter the European Challenge Cup in good heart this week after a promising start to the Guinness Premiership campaign.

After five games of the domestic season, Warriors switch focus to Europe for the next two weeks as they first entertain French Top 14 side Montpellier at Sixways on Thursday (7.45pm).

Director of Rugby Ruddock admitted his side could be even further up the league table after a heart-breaking late defeat to Northampton Saints on the opening day and giving champions Leicester Tigers a huge scare in the 19-14 defeat at Welford Road on Saturday.

But Ruddock, who last week penned a new one-year contract extension, believes his side are in good shape ahead of the European challenges.

He said: “We now go into Europe buoyed by a reasonable start. Two home wins and picking up some crucial bonus points on the road.

“We think we are in pretty good shape. We don’t enjoy losing — we haven’t enjoyed losing to Leicester. There were some injuries in the Tigers team and it was a day when we could have got a result at Welford Road.

“But that shows how far we have come as a team and how we have changed, we are disappointed not to get a result.

“Even when we have struggled in recent years we have shown we can beat some of the better teams,” he added.

“We beat Gloucester and Wasps home and away last season — there is plenty of spirit in this team.

“What is key is us being more consistent. Against Leicester there was a lack of accuracy in our first-half attack. That has probably cost us.”