WORCESTER Warriors are "slight favourites” to win promotion back to the Aviva Premiership, according to Bristol’s first team coach Sean Holley.

Bristol finished top of the Greene King IPA Championship and narrowly defeated Worcester twice during the regular season.

But Holley claims Worcester’s "experience" and "recent history" gives them the edge over Bristol in the two-legged Championship play-off final.

“We are not going to under-estimate our opposition,” said Holley.

“They are a Premiership team coming down so, in that respect with the experience they have had and the recent history, they are probably slight favourites. But we will just go out there and do our best.”

Warriors are sweating over the fitness of Max Stelling (hamstring), Dean Hammond (thigh strain), Andy Symons (leg) and Ben Howard (head) ahead of the first leg at Ashton Gate next Wednesday (7.45pm).

Worcester will definitely be without Charlie Mulchrone (broken foot) and Jonny Arr (suspended) for the tie but are hoping Chris Pennell will be available after a knee injury.

Bristol have a fully fit squad from which to choose apart from long-term absentees Ian Evans and James Hall.

Holley said: “We must recognise we are playing at home first. We have won the toss and batted for a reason. We have to go out for it. We have talked about not leaving anything to chance if we can and I am sure Worcester will be doing the same.”

He continued “This time last year we lost Mark Sorenson, Ross Rennie and Ryan Jones after the first leg of the semi-final and they were three of our most experienced players and therefore our leadership was lacking a touch going into that first and second game. We have consolidated that this season and added to the squad in terms of experience and leadership.”

Holley doesn't think the result of the two league meetings between the sides will have a bearing on the final.

“It’s all about two games – who we both pick, who we have got fit, who turns up on the day, who prepares tactically the best and who executes technically the best. They are very well-matched teams and, as we know from finals, thrills and spills will happen throughout the course of the two legs so it should be exciting.”