Hill braced for basement battle with Tait’s Falcons

Worcester head coach Richard Hill has challenged his side to rise to the challenge against Newcastle tonight in a match already being seen as a potential Aviva Premiership relegation decider.

Newly-promoted Worcester are 11th in the table, with the Falcons below them in the sole relegation spot. But the Warriors are five points clear of Alan Tait’s side and victory at Kingston Park would open up a handy advantage before the Premiership takes a break with the start of European competition on the horizon.

Despite having just one win to their name this season, the Falcons regularly prove a tougher proposition on home soil than on their travels and are boosted by the return of captain James Hudson from suspension.

And Hill has warned his side they will need to show plenty of desire to match their hosts.

“This is a big game and we know what to expect, Newcastle will be firing and we have got to match that,” Hill explained.

“It is a difficult place to go and win. Newcastle always play better at home and, with the importance of this game, we know what we will face.

“They have a very good driving line-out and powerful scrum with Euan Murray and they drive most of their lineouts. They are effective at it.

“Jimmy Gopperth keeps the scoreboard ticking over. He is a tricky customer and runs the game terrifically.”

Worcester can count themselves unlucky not to be higher up the standings, but have paid the price for an inability to close out tight games, letting opportunities to pick up victories slip away in two of their last three home league fixtures against Harlequins and Wasps.

And Hill, who hands starts to fly-half Joe Carlisle and Tonga hooker Aleki Lutui while lock Craig Gillies makes his 250th appearance, knows that is a trend which must change to avoid a “scary” end to the season.

“Our players were bitterly disappointed by the defeat to Wasps and I expect a reaction. There is no doubt it is a big game and we have got to come out on top,” he said.

“We hadn’t intended to be where we are in the league. We are disappointed and we are capable of being higher than this. Games are settled on small margins and we could be seventh but we are 11th. At seventh you are relaxing and playing with confidence and enjoying yourself. When you are 11th it can be scary.

“We know we can play better. We know we are improving in defence, improving in all aspects of our game. We have just got to keep working at it.”

TONIGHT’S FIXTURES

Aviva Premiership

Newcastle v Worcester (20:00)

RaboDirect PRO12

Newport-Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues (19:05), Leinster v Munster (20:00).