FINISHING the season strongly is essential for Worcester Warriors, admits in-form centre Wynand Olivier.

Warriors have failed to a win an away Aviva Premiership match this season and have one last chance at Newcastle Falcons on Friday (8pm).

Worcester recorded a nail-biting 15-14 victory at Kingston Park last March but have not picked up an away league triumph since beating Harlequins the same month.

Warriors have lost all 10 away top matches this term but have collected losing bonus points from defeats at Wasps and Sale Sharks.

Falcons have shown plenty of enterprise and are ninth in the table.

“Newcastle have had a decent season with a few ups and downs, but it’s always tough playing up there,” said Olivier.

“You never know what to expect weather-wise and they are also on the upwards and been building their team.

“It will be tough one but the boys are looking forward to the challenge. There are two games left and we want to finish on a high to take into next season. We especially want an away win.”

Second-from-bottom Warriors secured their Premiership status for another term after their 25-19 home victory against Bath was followed 24 hours later by Bristol’s defeat to Wasps. It sentenced Bristol to bottom place.

After playing Falcons, Warriors will wind up their season against play-off chasing Leicester Tigers at Sixways on May 6 (4pm).

Olivier insists Worcester’s good home form must continue.

Since Gary Gold arrived at the end of January, Warriors have beaten Saracens, Bristol and Bath at home and bagged a losing bonus point against Exeter Chiefs.

“A lot sides are seeing now that they are not just going to come to Worcester, have an easy game and take away four points,” said Olivier.

“I think it’s becoming something like a fortress and it would be nice for us if we can build around that so teams know when they come to Worcester they can’t just rock up.

“For us, there’s a lot of confidence in the side knowing we have the home crowd behind us.

“It was an unbelievable crowd against Bath and it was nice sitting on the side-lines and waiting to go on and get involved in the side.”

He added: “It was a nice feeling being safe and staying up in the Premiership but moving upwards is our goal and hopefully we can finish the season on a strong note.”

Meanwhile, Olivier, who has won 38 Test caps for South Africa, has passed on his congratulations to fellow Warriors centre Ben Te’o.

Te’o gained selection for the British and Irish Lions squad to tour New Zealand this summer.

“All the boys are happy for Ben,” said Olivier.

“He’s a quality player and e had a great game against Bath and played well for England when he got the opportunity.

“Being selected for the British and Irish Lions is a massive thing. You could see Ben was a little bit nervous on the day the squad was announced but all the boys celebrated with him.

“It’s nice for us to have a guy playing for the Lions. For the younger boys it’s an example for what is possible and the way in which the club is going. Ben is the first player from Warriors to be a British Lion so it’s a great thing.”