Worcester Warriors return to home ground an 'unforgettable moment' - head coach Matt Everard
Worcester Warriors men's side marked their first home game back in nearly three years with a 33-19 loss to the reigning Premiership champions Bath on Friday (19 September)
Worcester Warriors' men's team stepping back on home ground to play a match for the first time in nearly three years was 'emotional' says their head coach Matt Everard.
Thousands of fans were in attendance on Friday night (19 September) as Warriors went down fighting in a 33-19 loss to the current Premiership champions Bath.
The game was the side's first appearance at Sixways since 24 September 2022 when they beat Newcastle Falcons 39-5 before entering administration just days later.
Everard, who was appointed as the club's new head coach back in May, says the full occasion and support from the crowd really meant a lot to them.
"It was definitely emotional," he said.
"I'd thought about the lads running out at home for the first time a lot and it was even better than I imagined and I'm so grateful to the fans, how they were, what they gave us, how patient they've been, the support they've given us so far.
"For the players and club in general it's a special story and journey that's being created every single day and this will be a moment everyone won't forget as a part of it and I know the players will look back at it with a lot of pride."
'Relief' to be back
It was back in April this year the club announced it had been accepted to join the revamped second tier of English rugby union for the 2025/26 season.
Formerly known as the Championship but now named Champ Rugby, it had originally applied for the place in the league back in November 2024 after being taken over by new owners Junction 6 Limited.
Among those in attendance at Friday's game was the club's executive chairman Christopher Holland who leads Junction 6 Limited.
Holland says it was great to see the place 'buzzing' and he had one main emotion on his mind as the side took to the field.
"Relief," he said.
"Relief that we actually got here, relief that we showed our true colours that we had established a credible team in a sustainable business model that is going to hopefully be a credit to the whole league.
"What we need really now is that support (we got) to go through the season, they need to be here for every game, whether it's a cold afternoon in February, or whether it's a sunny day, this club needs Worcester and it needs the support from Worcester."
The side now officially get their Champ Rugby campaign up and running on 4 October at home to Coventry.