DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold believes Worcester Warriors will have their “work cut-out” against high-flying Exeter Chiefs’ “attacking game” at Sixways tomorrow (3pm).

Warriors have lost all nine previous Aviva Premiership clashes with the Devon club and Gold admits the visitors will be a “threat” with “ball in hand”.

Rob Baxter’s third-placed Exeter hammered Warriors 57-22 at Sandy Park in November and eased to a 30-15 victory at Sixways last season.

But second-from-bottom Warriors should be buoyed after last Saturday’s richly deserved 24-18 victory against reigning champions Saracens which opened up a five-point cushion over basement boys Bristol.

“I have been really impressed by the intent the guys have brought into training this week and I think they realise what an outstanding team Exeter are and the threat they will bring with ball in hand,” said Gold.

“We will have our work cut out this weekend. Exeter present a different proposition to Saracens and, in many ways, it will potentially be tougher for where our areas of weakness have been.”

Gold wasn’t sure whether Warriors’ crushing defeat by Chiefs three months ago had left a scar on the Sixways But Gold, who arrived at Warriors earlier this month, is hoping Warriors have managed to solve some of their defensive woes which have blighted their season.

Chiefs showed their attacking flair when they battled out a pulsating 35-35 draw against table-topping Wasps last Sunday.

“I would hope we’ve addressed some pretty significant issues around the game that will have led us to improving,” said Gold.

“But there isn’t a magic wand and I can’t just walk into the room and fix everything immediately and unfortunately Exeter have been on their path for a long time.

“There are certain things we will have to do very well to keep Exeter out and defending their attacking game is one. They use the width of the field probably better than anybody in the Premiership.

“They’ve spent more time in the opposition 22 than anyone else in the Premiership so it’s a significant threat which is coming and it’s coming for 80 minutes and we have to live with it.”

Warriors have picked up just three league wins this season and back-to-back victories over Sarries and Chiefs would be an astonishing turnaround in form.

Gold, a former South Africa assistant coach, has challenged Warriors to repeat their all-action display against Sarries and is urging the fans to get behind them tomorrow.

“We have got a challenge to back up last weekend’s win and, with respect, it’s not something the club have done,” said Gold.

“We had the good Harlequins performance and then went to Gloucester a week later and lost heavily.

“But we are at home again and I am really excited about the supporter base.

“We are going to get a lot of supporters and I would really like to encourage them to come along because it makes a massive difference.

“Sixways was one of the toughest places I came to as an opponent and Warriors' supporters make a huge difference when they get behind their team.”