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EURO CHALLENGE CUP

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Borthwick aims to leave on a high

Friday 25th April 2008

Team player: Borthwick is looking to lead Bath to Challenge Cup glory

England lock Steve Borthwick is determined to land a trophy in his final season at Bath, but he insists the remainder of the season is about the team and not him.

Borthwick, who has made almost 250 appearances for the West country club, will join their Guinness Premiership rivals Saracens next season.

He could bow out in style as Bath remain on course for a Premiership title and European Challenge Cup double.

Victory over Recreation Ground visitors Sale on Saturday would send Borthwick and company into a second successive Challenge Cup final following last year's defeat to French club Clermont Auvergne.

With Worcester and Newcastle - teams in the Premiership's bottom third - contesting Friday's first semi-final, Bath know the odds are stacked in their favour.

"I would love Bath to win the tournament and for me to be able to leave them with some silverware," Borthwick said.

"I played in Bath's two previous Challenge Cup finals, but this is not about me, it is about the group to whom I have an extremely strong attachment.

"This group has been together for several years and worked very hard in overcoming many challenges. Winning trophies would be nothing more than just reward for their huge efforts.

"But we know that we have a big challenge in front of us on Saturday - in fact, it is a formidable challenge.

"Sale attack you with the ball in hand and challenge you defensively all across the pitch.

"Now we are at the business end of the season, when titles are won or lost, we know Sale will also be really up for the semi-final."

Worcester have received a double boost ahead of Friday's Sixways clash against Newcastle, with skipper Pat Sanderson and centre Dale Rasmussen both declared fit.

Sanderson limped off before-half time against Bath last weekend, nursing a dead leg, while Rasmussen has not played since being concussed during Warriors' quarter-final victory over Montpellier almost three weeks ago.

"When we played Newcastle earlier this season, we felt we should have won up at Kingston Park in the league," Worcester's Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock said.

"We outscored them two tries to nil, but the deadly boot of Jonny Wilkinson won the game for them on that occasion, and we know our discipline will have to be top drawer."