SKIPPER Joe Leach claims Worcestershire's confidence has not been eroded by heavy back to back County Championship defeats going into Saturday's Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final at New Road.

Leach wants the Rapids to produce a "vibrant" performance and "really rise to the occasion" in Worcestershire's first semi-final in 13 years.

He points to their outstanding form in topping the North Group as an indicator of what they are capable of when firing on all cylinders.

The return of England all-rounder Moeen Ali will lift Worcestershire.

But the Rapids will be without hard-hitting top order batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore who has joined Yorkshire.

The Rapids won six and tied one of their eight games and had a 100 per cent home record after claiming the scalps of Notts Outlaws, Warwickshire, Yorkshire Vikings and Durham Jets at New Road.

Now they will aiming to topple a Surrey side - skippered by former Worcestershire spinner Gareth Batty - who overcame Yorkshire Vikings in impressive style at Headingley in Tuesday's play-off match.

Leach said: "My message is very much one of confidence.

"We topped that North Group and played some very good cricket in that month of one-day cricket.

"We've Surrey coming here in what I hope will be a packed New Road.

"It's our ground, it's our turf, it's our support, and we are fully expecting to put in a good performance.

"Is there any problems with confidence after two Championship defeats? I don't think so. We are not overly concerned. You are entitled to lose games of cricket.

"Our one-day cricket, the way we play, is full of confidence and I want our guys to be vibrant and really rise to the occasion.

"It's a big game, there is no getting away from that, but if we can rise to the occasion and really show off how good we are at the format, then we will be fine."