Even though he admits Worcester have revealed more faults than their league position suggests, lineout king Craig Gillies insists one of the most commonly cited is completely unfair.

While the giant lock cannot quibble with those who call into question the consistency of Warriors’ defence, he rejects the notion his side have taken their Championship rivals too lightly.

The Sixways outfit have produced 11 wins from their first 12 matches but have rarely dominated opponents to the extent their financial advantages dictate they should.

Plymouth, Moseley, Nottingham, Rotherham and Doncaster, all of whom are or have been in the bottom half, have all seriously inconvenienced Gillies and his team-mates but the 34-year-old thoroughly rejects accusations of complacency.

“It’s quite a common view but I don’t think it’s fair,” he said. “I played in National One when we got promoted so when we got relegated I was under no illusions it would be a tough task to play out this season and get back again.

“I know from past experience how other sides would react to us. A lot of sides, lower down the division, can pull an extra 20-30 per cent out when they are playing Worcester.

“We are sitting on top of the table, we are there to be shot at and we are the scalp people want to take. It happened to us the last time we were in National One and it’s happening to us this time.

“The difference between then and now is there is more quality in the Championship. The standard of rugby has risen hugely. There are some good teams and some good players in the Championship.

“I don’t think anyone should be under any illusions about how tough it is going to be this year.”

Plymouth certainly weren’t and Rotherham won’t be at Clifton Lane this weekend.