DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan is urging his Worcester Warriors players to create a slice of club history at Harlequins today (3pm).

Warriors will be aiming to secure a third successive Aviva Premiership victory for the first time since March 2007.

Worcester recorded their first back-to-back top tier triumphs in four years after toppling Newcastle Falcons and Gloucester.

“Every game is an extension of trying to change the pathway this club has taken,” said Ryan.

“We can’t hide from the disappointment that we weren’t able to nail things earlier in the season.

“I thought we were close back then and we might now have been looking at different stats than we are.

“But each time you get over one sort of hill, you get another opportunity to go and climb another.

“I think we’re in that place now and, if we don’t take it, it’s a lot of work to get back to especially in a league as competitive as this.

"We recognise now is the time.”

Ryan added: “Each win off the back off another starts to gather momentum and it starts to change the pathway of how we’re seen and it’s a pathway we are going to take.”

Warriors were worthy of their 28-20 derby triumph last Saturday against rivals Gloucester, a performance which delighted Ryan.

“We had an opportunity against Gloucester because we felt the way we could play would take away their strong points and that was proven,” said Ryan.

“I think we were convincing winners and, even at the end, when Gloucester were throwing everything at us, I felt we had enough of a lead and were comfortable enough with what we were doing.

“Gloucester are a big, powerful side but I think we were able to take the game away from their strengths."

He added: “I am pleased the lads held their nerve against Gloucester.

“They kept playing and got some reward for it at the end.”

Ryan admitted the run of three wins from four matches had made the daily routine at Sixways “a bit easier”.

“Winning makes coming to work a bit easier and that’s when momentum starts to gather," he said.

"We are in a better place but the things we are doing remain the same.

“It becomes a different challenge to keep the group focused but it’s an easier place to do your job.”

He also hailed the impact of scrum-half Francois Hougaard, who has signed a three-year deal at Sixways.

“We all know the impact Francois Hougaard has had on the squad,” said Ryan.

“Initially, it was purely a 10-week deal and during that time we’ve had conversations about whether he wanted to stay and whether we wanted to keep him.

“I am really glad that he has come to the same decision as us because we both see the benefits of him being here.”