Worcester have trained their sights on Heineken Cup qualification next season - and Warriors boss Mike Ruddock has backed his players to handle the demands of top-flight European rugby.
Ruddock's men were battling for Guinness Premiership survival less than three months ago.
They went more than half of the current campaign without a league victory, but now stand just two wins away from lifting silverware and securing a prized Heineken Cup place.
Newcastle arrive at Sixways on Friday night for a European Challenge Cup semi-final that Worcester - on current form - could dominate.
While the Warriors have beaten established Premiership forces like Leicester, Gloucester and Sale Sharks in recent weeks, Newcastle are reeling from seven successive league defeats.
Even though the Falcons will parade fit-again England trio Jonny Wilkinson, Toby Flood and Jamie Noon, their task promises to be a tough one.
The eventual Challenge Cup winners - Bath host Sale Sharks in Saturday's second semi-final - are guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next term.
And Ruddock believes this season's European journey has proved an invaluable experience.
He said: "Playing in the European Challenge Cup has greatly benefited our team as a whole.
"We were not strong enough this season to play in the Heineken Cup, but, if we are able to win this tournament, then I think we will be up to the task for next season.
"We have been able to work on our rugby style and sample other rugby cultures, particularly in France.
"The away win against Montauban was great for building confidence in the side, and then to have played a good match against Montpellier, who put in a strong performance in the quarter-finals, was great for us to focus on the way we play.
"Although Premiership survival is clearly important, nothing has changed really since our survival was assured.
"We have been trying to play with freedom all season, which has probably cost us games at times.
"The side had always been encouraged to play low-risk rugby, keeping it in hand in the tackle.
"This season, we have gone against that, encouraging the guys to off-load in the tackle, trying to put the ball into space and looking to attack space.
"It has been a difficult transition, and there are times when we have struggled, particularly in our decision-making.
"Having said that, we had a great game against Bath last weekend, and although we lost, we scored good tries and nearly got a victory against one of the best attacking teams in the Premiership.
"We've come a long way this season."
Worcester have received a double fitness boost ahead of the Newcastle clash, with skipper Pat Sanderson and centre Dale Rasmussen both declared fit.
Sanderson limped off before-half time against Bath, nursing a dead leg, while Rasmussen has not played since being concussed during the quarter-final victory over Montpellier almost three weeks ago.
Newcastle, their league campaign having disintegrated long ago, field a far stronger side than the one crushed 53-10 by Sale last Sunday.
And Falcons' acting rugby director Steve Bates said: "This is a competition in which we have done well this season.
"Getting to the final would definitely be positive progress, but only if we win the whole thing could we say we have had a reasonable season, given how the league campaign has gone.
"As well as the obvious aim of winning a trophy, the main goal is Heineken Cup rugby for next season and all the benefits that brings to the club and the fans.
"It gives us a great chance to finish the season on a high, and while we understand this will be a tough fixture away from home, the application and focus of the squad this week has been excellent."
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