ONE of Worcester Warriors’ most loyal servants Alex Grove will bring down the curtain on his Sixways career tomorrow.

The long-serving centre is desperate to end his 10-year stint at Warriors on a high note and pay back everyone who has cheered him and the club on over the past decade.

The 28-year-old hopes to run out for one last time in a Warriors shirt for his 153rd first-team appearance in their final Aviva Premiership match of the season against defending champions Saracens (3.30pm).

Grove, who is on the replacements bench tomorrow, said: “I have had a bit of time to come to terms with things but I don’t know how I will feel when the referee blows the final whistle and my spell comes to an end.

“I have tried to make sure I have enjoyed the last few weeks and months. I know I will be sad because I have made really close mates but I am keen to enjoy and savour every moment and am desperate to feature.

“Worcester Warriors have been my life for the past 10 years and it will be very hard to walk away from it.

"But I certainly don’t hold any grudges because I love the club and will be coming back to Sixways to support the lads in what promises to be an exciting time for the club.”

A product of Warriors’ academy, Grove paid tribute to mentors Andrew Stanley and Gary Meechan for their valuable input in his career, which has yielded three caps for Scotland.

“There has been a lot of changes and different coaches but I honestly believe the club are now in the best position I’ve seen in my time at Warriors,” said Grove.

“There have been some career highs and lows and getting back to the Premiership last season was different to the first time.

“It was pretty much 50-50 last season and I don’t think I could ever forget how we fought back against Bristol in the play-off final second leg.”

Grove has scored 29 tries for Warriors and sits joint-seventh in a list of all-time try-scorers for the club, which Miles Benjamin tops with 60.

In the current squad, he is one of four players to pass 100 appearances for Worcester along with Jonny Arr (177), Chris Pennell (164) and Sam Betty (113).

Grove fondly recalls his maiden Premiership try on his first top-tier start as Warriors edged a thrilling, last-gasp 13-12 win over Wasps at Sixways in February 2009.

“When I have had the chance this season, I treated it as if it could be my last game and I have tried to throw everything at it,” said Grove, who bagged a brace against Newcastle Falcons.

“From a player’s point of view, Worcester is a really good place to be and I have really valued my time here since I started to come to terms with things.

“It has been a funny season for me and I knew my chances would be limited when Ollie (Wynand Olivier) arrived at the club.

“Ollie came in and he’s a very solid player with lots of caps for South Africa but above all he’s a lovely bloke and has deserved his place.

“As much as I love this club, I don’t just want to train and most players will say the same thing.

“You don’t train all week to not play at the weekend because that wouldn’t be any fun at all.

“Dean Ryan (director of rugby) told me who they were recruiting for next season and said the opportunities for me might be limited.

“I had a think and made up my mind I would move on and look at new challenges.

“I have got a few interests outside the game and I could do something fresh, whether that’s a new club or a new career I am not too sure at the moment.

“My wife and I are settled in Worcester but I am open to ideas and looking forward to having some time off.”

Grove added: “During my 10 years, I have seen a lot of changes at the club and it will be quite emotional when I run out for the last time as a Worcester player.

“I have seen many players and coaches leave over the years and I know it will be a very strange feeling for me when we go our separate ways.

“But it won’t be the end because Warriors are my club. I don’t think I will be coming back every week but I will be in the stands cheering on the lads.”