The Adrian Skeggs column

WE have a test of our focus on Saturday as we come face to face with Manchester.

It is an absolutely crucial game in the context of the National One title race because, with everybody already talking about the April 1 trip to Leeds, we have to make sure we take one game at a time.

It is of course the oldest clich in the book but all the same, it carries an important message.

Everyone at the club is aware what a big match the Leeds game will be. However, we have three weeks before that match and, more importantly, the prospect of Manchester heading down the M6. We beat Manchester comfortably earlier in the season and we are looking forward to playing Alex Keay's side again. He had some interesting comments leading up to that game but as far as I'm concerned, that is all in the past now and we have to concentrate on the future. It should be quite a day on St Patrick's Day at Sixways, we have an Irish band performing on match-day and hopefully, it will be a carnival atmosphere. We are determined though that we won't need the luck of the Irish to take us to victory.

My side go into the match on the back of a morale-boosting victory at Bedford. I thought we played some good stuff at my old club and not only won but bagged the all-important bonus point within the first 40 minutes. We haven't done that too many times this season and I was pleased with the way we performed especially in the first half. I think our second half display was a bit disjointed and we never really hit the heights of the first.

Spencer Bromley deservedly took the plaudits for a hat-trick of tries. He has, like many Worcester players this season, been in and out the side but I thought he rose to the challenge well. He came in because of an injury to Scott Barrow who will also be absent against Manchester with a foot injury. Spencer is a class player - of that there is no doubt. He just needs to work on his consistency when the opposition have the ball and sometimes his positional play. However, I was delighted with him at Bedford. He made two tries just because of the natural flair he possesses and his ability to beat players at pace. Spencer knows all he has to do is be consistent and he will keep his place.

I was slightly surprised at the Bedford line-up though. This is the team that haven't won a game since Christmas and were struggling with injuries - or so we heard. Worcester come to town though and suddenly all their star players re-appear as if by magic! It makes you wonder why. Obviously the bigger picture for them is that could be relegated again.

However, it sometimes makes you feel it's the Worcester factor and that everyone wants to stop us progressing to the top. Back into the side came Scott Stewart and Andre Fox. They were almost at full-strength! - I couldn't believe it! I watched Coventry recently at Leeds and they were a shadow of the side that performed so doggedly at Sixways. Then when you see Moseley coaches and Birmingham & Solihull coaches conferring at a Worcester match, it does make you think there is an ulterior motive.

We've got to deal with those circumstances though and we are still top of the pile, despite everyone's efforts.

I have made a number of changes for Manchester. It is a bit of a re-think but it's an exciting one. Sateki Tuipulotu reverts from wing to his former position at full-back while Nick Baxter returns at number 14. Spencer keeps his place on the other wing to give us a three-pronged threat with Teki, Baxter and Bromley. With Alistair Murdoch and Rudi Keil at centre I think we should see some points scored on Saturday.

Tony Yapp gets the nod once again at fly-half while Earl Va'a comes back into the squad and should get on the pitch in the second half.

Andrea Moretti comes back into the side at hooker because of injuries to Andrew Lamerton and Chris Hall. Moretti went very well for the Warriors on Monday night and I have no doubt he will play well for us.

I enjoyed the atmosphere back at Bedford not only for the noise the home crowd made but also because of the visiting support. I thought they played their part in an enjoyable day. I hope to hear that support again on St Patrick's Day. I'll see you in the bar for a pint of Guinness after the match!