WORCESTER Warriors return to Gallagher Premiership action this evening as they go head-to-head with rivals Gloucester Rugby under the Kingsholm lights (7.45pm kick-off).

Worcester will be looking to make it back-to-back league wins for the first time since September 2020 after their 35-31 home win over Exeter Chiefs in the last round but the form book would give them little chance.

The visitors have managed a win at the home of the Cherry and Whites just once in Premiership history, back in April 2009 when they edged a tight 6-13 affair.

Generally they cannot buy a win away from home, having not won a league game away from Sixways since September 2020 when they beat London Irish at The Stoop.

Warriors haven’t beaten Gloucester in the league for three years and boss Steve Diamond is aware of the threat the Cherry and Whites pose his side.

“They are going well at the moment,” said Steve Diamond

“They are well-coached like the Gloucester of old with a good maul, a good forward pack, an exciting back three and good half-backs

“Their strengths are their driving maul and their back three.

“They have scored 20-plus tries from their driving maul this season and if we don’t kick accurately and kick into the hands of their back three they will runs us ragged.

“We have got to play a controlled game and we have to make sure that the ball doesn’t go off the field too much because their lineout is immense.”

Kingsholm is renowned for it’s atmosphere and Diamond knows it can be a difficult place to go when the Shed are on top form.

“It’s a great rugby environment,” he added.

“They are a very passionate crowd if you are a Gloucester player but if you aren’t then it’s one of those places where you like to go and turn the crowd against the home team if you can.”

As Worcester look to end their Kingsholm hoodoo, Diamond has made three changes from the side that beat Exeter Chiefs in their last Premiership game.

Prop Lewis Holsey will make his first league start of the season and has been recalled from his loan stint at Hartpury.

Will Chudley will start at scrum-half, taking the place of Willi Heinz who has returned to New Zealand since he started against Exeter two weeks ago.

Kyle Hatherell has recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained at Sale Sharks six weeks ago and comes into the back-row at blindside flanker.