Worcester Warriors winger Marcel Garvey will have extra motivation in this weekend's European Challenge Cup final having missed out on a medal when former club Gloucester won the tournament two years ago.
The in form player, who moved to Worcester a few months later, played in four of Gloucester's six pool matches in 2005-06 and scored three tries but by the time the knockout rounds came round, his relationship with director of rugby Dean Ryan had completely broken down.
That led to him being let go as the Cherry and Whites beat Warriors in the semi final and went on to thrash London Irish at Twickenham to lift the trophy. Garvey's absence meant his medal landed in some rather surprised hands.
'I played a lot of games when Gloucester got to the final a few years ago, but missed the semi-final and the final because I had left the club. I'd like to make up for that - it was disappointing that my winners' medal went to the kitman," he said.
Garvey hopes to make up for that on Sunday when Worcester meet Bath ... at Kingsholm, home of Gloucester.
"If I could now go on and win a medal in the European Challenge Cup, it would be one of the highlights of my career. The final will be a big occasion and anyone can win on the day."
A winners' medal is just part of the massive prize on offer for the victor. If Worcester prevail they can make club history by qualifying for the sport's premier club competition.
"If we can go on and win this competition and get a place in the Heineken Cup next year, it would be a great challenge," he said. "It would showcase a lot of the boys' talents and hopefully we'll have the squad to do it next year.
"There are players coming in to the squad and hopefully more to be announced soon - we'll then go forward from there. But, first and foremost, we've got to keep building as a team - finishing higher up the Premiership and playing to the best of our ability will be our main aim."
