WORCESTER Warriors chief Gary Gold has labelled Sunday’s mouth-watering relegation clash against rivals Bristol as a “final”.

Basement boys Bristol will head to Sixways (3pm) just two points adrift of second-from-bottom Warriors after veteran Gavin Henson kicked all their points in a 12-11 derby triumph over old rivals Bath.

Gold says Worcester's players “realise the enormity of the occasion” with just six matches remaining in the battle for top-tier survival.

Warriors’ 24-18 victory over reigning champions Saracens and a try-scoring bonus in the 48-32 loss to high-flying Exeter Chiefs looked to have opened up a precious six-point cushion over Bristol.

But Saturday's 24-14 defeat at Northampton Saints and Bristol’s vital victory over a depleted Bath side the next day created another twist in the two-way fight.

“It’s a massive game. We have an extra day to recover and will see how that goes,” said Gold.

“The relevance of the match is crucial and we will come in this week and prepare for Bristol. No doubt they will have the bit between their teeth.

“They (Bristol) are coming to Sixways and we enjoy playing at home with a very passionate crowd so I am looking forward to Sunday.”

Both teams have picked up three wins from 16 Premiership matches this term with Warriors totalling 19 points and Bristol 17.

Worcester lost 28-20 at 14-man Bristol at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day under head coach Carl Hogg which handed the West Country outfit a first league win of the season.

Warriors have scored 304 points and shipped 499 in the top tier, while Bristol have amassed 253 and conceded 494.

Gold will sweat over the fitness of tighthead prop Nick Schonert who left the field after just four minutes following a bang on the head at Franklin’s Gardens.

USA hooker Joe Taufete’e looks set to be named in Worcester’s squad following Jaba Bregvadze’s international call-up for Georgia.

Centre Ben Te’o remains on England duty in the Six Nations, while Warriors will hope back row duo Chris Vui and Alafoti Fa'osiliva are available after taking knocks last week in training.

It will be the first league meeting at Sixways between Warriors and Bristol since their heart-stopping Championship final second leg in May 2015.

A last-gasp try from Chris Pennell, converted by Ryan Lamb, helped Warriors fight back from 30-16 down with nine minutes left to win the two-legged play-off 59-58 on aggregate.

Gold added: “It’s pretty obvious how big the week is and the players will realise the enormity of the occasion.

"I will take a lot of comfort from being at home. We have played well at home and enjoy being there.

“For us it will be like a final because of the implications it will have.

"We have got certain things we need to improve and work on and I think that’s what we will focus our time and energy on this week.”

RELEGATION RUN-IN  

WARRIORS

Sunday: Bristol (home), 3pm.

Sunday, March 26: Wasps (away), 2.30pm.

Friday, April 7: Sale Sharks (away), 7.45pm.

Saturday, April 15: Bath (home), 3pm.

Friday, April 28: Newcastle Falcons (away), 8pm.

Saturday, May 6: Leicester Tigers (home), 4pm.

BRISTOL

Sunday: Worcester (away), 3pm.

Friday, March 24: Gloucester (home), 7.45pm.

Saturday, April 8: Exeter Chiefs (away), 3pm.

Sunday, April 16: Wasps (home), 3pm.

Saturday, April 29:  Saracens (away), 3pm.

Saturday, May 6: Newcastle Falcons (home), 4pm.