THE scalp of a European Champions Cup semi-finalist would give Worcester Warriors a major boost heading into next season, according to fly-half Tom Heathcote.

Warriors round off their Premiership campaign against Wasps, Leicester Tigers and Saracens, who are vying for the top European prize in club rugby.

Heathcote believes a victory against either of the three sides would eclipse Warriors’ club-record four-match Premiership winning run.

“To win one of the last three games would make more of a statement about where this club is heading into next season than setting a club record of four wins,” said Heathcote.

“Some people might say we won those four games just because we were battling relegation and were desperate.

“But winning one of the final three games when the pressure is off would show more about us as a club moving forward than the winning streak.”

Warriors were fighting for their survival when they beat Newcastle Falcons, Gloucester, Harlequins and London Irish.

The winning run, which took them clear of relegation-threatened Newcastle and Irish, ended with a 50-12 defeat at play-off chasing Exeter Chiefs.

Heathcote said: “We were up against a team at the top of the table and if you are not there 100 per cent physically you can’t compete.

“Exeter showed they were more physical and sharper than us on the day and we couldn’t compete.

“Because we were under so much pressure, we got yellow cards and picked up a few injuries, which made things more difficult.

“Exeter blew us away and it was only the second time that’s happened to us this season after Saracens at Twickenham. It was a shame for our run to end the way it did.”

Heathcote thinks Warriors will have learnt lessons and believes they can end their campaign on a high note.

“We didn’t get ahead of ourselves during our winning run but we’re disappointed it is over,” he added.

“We can look forward to the last three games and look to make a statement with our performances and try to get a win against one of the top sides.”