Heavy rain failed to stop an inspired home pack performance in the opening 40 minutes with Goode grabbing a try as Worcester opened up a 16-8 half-time lead.

Perpignan fought back in the second half and two yellow cards in quick succession to Ceri Jones and Neil Best saw the French giants nudge ahead.

But a grandstand finale from the hosts saw Goode slot a vital late penalty before Wales international James Hook missed a drop goal with the last kick of the game as Warriors enjoyed Euro victory.

Head Coach Richard Hill had called on his Warriors to produce an attacking show in front of the televised cameras, but heavy rain hit Sixways just a few hours before kick-off and ensured both team had to slug it out up front for superiority.

It was the Warriors who started the better as rain poured down as an early fumble by Hook caused alarm bells before an early penalty from Goode, as early tempers flared off the ball, put the hosts in front.

Visiting full back Joffrey Michel then had to be alert to race back and collect Josh Matavesi's kick into space off the greasy turf, after a quick tap penalty from Paul Hodgson caught Perpignan cold.

The battle of the front five was always going to be crucial and it was Worcester who enjoyed early dominance at the set piece as another penalty went to the hosts and Goode did the rest for a 6-0 lead after eight minutes.

Perpignan threatened an immediate response as big centre Sione Piukala produced a neat arching run into space before Hook kicked in behind, with the impressive Chris Pennell going over to cover and stop the marauding French forwards.

Captain James Percival collected a towering box kick from Hodgson and looked to offload in the tackle to Matavesi, but referee Neil Hennessy called play back for a forward pass just as Sixways came alive.

Number Eight Henry Tuilagi introduced himself to the Worcester defence with a barrelling run up the middle before the visitors struck back as they worked an overlap and scrum half Florian Cazenave went over in the corner.

Goode added another penalty, after a massive scrum from the hosts, as Worcester opened up a 9-5 lead after half an hour and continued to impress up front against a big hitting Perpignan outfit.

Perpignan were enduring a torrid time in the scrum and referee Hennessey finally lost his patience and yellow carded Sona Taumalolo after a series of penalties against the loosehead prop who was being given a going over at the hands of Euan Murray.

An energy sapping driving maul against the depleted Perpignan pack then saw Warriors make 10 metres before Matt Kvesic carried strongly. Goode dropped into the pocket but his drop goal effort this time fell short and wide.

The rain was getting heavier as the half progressed making handling difficult for both teams, but Nikki Walker made light of the wretched conditions with a slicing line break supported by Kvesic.

Bustling back row Semisi Tualava then carried strongly as Worcester closed on the line before Goode looked to spin out of a tackle and touch the ball down. The referee went to the TMO who ruled the fly half had made the whitewash for a 16-5 lead.

The home pack was by now pushing Perpignan all over the park and another penalty, after the French were shunted back with alarming ease, saw tempers boil over once more off the ball.

A high box kick gave Perpignan one more spell of possession before the break with Luke Narraway making hard yards before Hook slotted a drop goal as Warriors led 16-8 at the break.

Worcester started the second half eager to press home their advantage as Matavesi made a dart into clear air and kicked in behind for his team-mates to chase.

The visitors, though, were looking to play their way back into contention as Hook kicked in behind after a neat interchange of passes. The Welsh ace then lined up a difficult penalty and cut the lead to five points with over half an hour to play.

The Perpignan pressure was building and when Neil Best was yellow carded, after flying over the top at a ruck to tackle Cazenave, a simple kick from in front of the posts followed from Hook.

Momentum had clearly swung to Perpignan, with Warriors now falling foul of the officials at the scrum, so Hill looked to freshen his team up with Aleki Lutui, Dean Schofield and Jonny Arr all introduced just before the hour mark.

A stray lineout throw saw Worcester put under huge pressure as Perpignan went wide at pace with Robins Tchale Watchou only stopped by a thundering Walker tackle.

But a series of penalties at the resulting scrum saw prop Ceri Jones yellow carded, with Rob O'Donnell replacing Taulava, before referee Hennessy awarded a penalty try to hand the lead to the visitors for the first time.

Goode immediately ate into that lead with another penalty after Perpignan were guilty of crossing from the restart.

Perpignan were next to find a man in the sin bin as Pennell was crudely taken out in the air by Adrien Plante who was yellow carded amid jeers.

The French suddenly looked rattled and Goode kicked to the corner with seven minutes left on the clock to crank up the pressure even further.

Worcester now powered forward with Taulava going close, Pennell looking to make room and Percival driving up as the forwards went time and time again around the fringes. Finally the penalty was secured and Goode reclaimed the lead to a huge ovation.

There was still time for late drama saw Perpignan won back possession at the scrum in the final 30 seconds.

But with the final play of the game Hook saw his attempted drop goal fall wide and low of the target to spark celebrations from the Warriors as a big European win was secured.

Worcester now travel to the south of France next Saturday for the return fixture knowing their destiny is very much in their own hands as they target a place in the last eight.

Timeline:

04m Goode p 3-0

08m Goode p 6-0

18m Cazenave t 6-5

27m Goode p 9-5

36m Goode t Goode c 16-5

39m Hook dg 16-8

47m Hook p 16-11

54m Hook p 16-14

64m Penalty t Hook c 16-21

66m Goode p 19-21

79m Goode p 22-21

Warriors: 01 Ceri Jones, 02 Ed Shervington (Lutui 55), 03 Euan Murray (Andress 66), 04 James Percival, 05 Chris Jones (Schofield 55), 06 Neil Best (Betty 65), 07 Matt Kvesic, 08 Semisi Taulava (O'Donnell 63, Taulava 73), 09 Paul Hodgson (Arr 55), 10 Andy Goode, 11 David Lemi (Claassens 66), 12 Josh Matavesi, 13 Alex Grove (Short 66), 14 Nikki Walker, 15 Chris Pennell

Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Rob O'Donnell, 18 John Andress, 19 Dean Schofield, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Errie Claassens, 23 Andy Short