PAT Sanderson wants a big performance from his team in tonight's Sixways encounter with Calvisano (8pm) so Wor-cester can hit the ground running when the new Premier-ship season begins next week.

The flanker leads his side against the Italians and is ea-ger to finish the pre-season programme in style.

"It's important for us to go out there and play well," he said. "Whatever we do to-night, we take into the Bristol game.

"As is always the case with Italian sides, they present a big, physical challenge. But our main focus has got to be on ourselves."

Sanderson is making his first run-out since captaining England on their tour to Australia and says he can't wait to get back on the pitch.

"Pre-season has been hard but you eventually get to the point where you have had enough. You want to play."

The 28-year-old had to sit out Worcester's first two pre-season games because of the mandatory 11-week rest period required by the RFU. He has been champing at the bit to get back but believes the rest will have a positive affect on his fitness.

"I just hate not playing but in the long run it's the right thing," he said. "I'm massively enthusiastic and I feel pretty regenerated. It's the best I've felt in a long while. Pre-season has gone really well."

Sanderson is still glowing from the pride of leading his country. "I've got so many feelings," he said. "It's quite an emotional thing. You want to win and it's very disappointing to lose. But it's a great honour to captain your country. The way I feel now, I just want to get out there and play rugby."

Sanderson continues where he finished last season with Worcester, at blind-side, wh-ich gives the fast-developing Tom Harding the chance to make the number seven shirt his own. With Drew Hickey still making his way back after surgery, Kai Horstmann completes a powerful looking back row at number eight.