Head Coach Richard Hill has called on his Warriors to record back-to-back leagues victories for the first time this season when they face Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday (kick-off 2.45pm).
Warriors climbed up to tenth in the standings with a 6-0 win over London Wasps on Sunday and now welcomed local rivals Gloucester to Sixways for a televised derby.
And Hill admits the squad have quickly drawn a line under the heroics at Adams Park to focus on Gloucester – and have even invited in Loughborough University in to help with preparations.
“We have not been able to back up two wins and the big challenge,” he said. “After really battling for a win at Wasps we need to back it up with a home victory. We have got to really establish Sixways as a difficult place for teams to come to.
“We try to forget the Wasps game as quickly as possible, get the debrief out the way and turn very quickly to Gloucester. I hope the minds are on this game.
“I remember last time we played Gloucester we said we would keep our powder dry and that didn’t work so we have done things differently this week. We have had some very intense sessions and are ready to go,” he added.
“It will be a physical test. We thought that by relaxing during the week leading up to the last game it would give us lots of energy. It didn’t work out so we have had an intense week.
“We’ve also had Loughborough University down this week to train against which is slightly different. It is good for them to have a look around the place and see what goes on in a professional set-up, but it is also something different for us and hopefully we will see a reaction.
Meanwhile, Hill has revealed he is likely to stick with Chris Pennell at full back this weekend but expects a huge battle for the number 15 jersey for the rest of the season.
“It’s a tough one at full back,” conceded Hill. “I have given Chris Pennell an opportunity as captain to really show what he can do and promised him a number of games.
“It is tough on Errie because he has played well and didn’t deserve to be dropped really, but we have two very good full backs in Chris and Errie.
“I have given Chris a go, and he will almost certainly captain the side against Gloucester, and Errie will have his opportunity when we go into the Amlin Challenge Cup and LV= Cup to really come back. I’m hoping I have a very difficult decision come Sale in four weeks from now.”
“We have not been able to back up two wins and the big challenge… After really battling for a win at Wasps we need to back it up with a home victory…"