WORCESTER Warriors will be looking to secure back-to-back wins in the Aviva Premiership for the first time in more than two years when they host Exeter Chiefs on Saturday (3pm).
The Sixways side kept their slim hopes of survival alive with a 17-12 victory over Newcastle Falcons two weeks ago.
But with still nine points separating themselves and second-bottom Falcons with only four games remaining, director of rugby Dean Ryan said Warriors must now back it up against a side who have caused them all sorts of problems.
Exeter have notched up more than 80 points in just two meetings with Warriors this season, but Ryan believed his team have shown they can bounce back.
“Quins spanked us here at the beginning of the season, but we went to their place and got within a point,” he said.
“So Exeter may have done this or that to us in the past, but we are a different side and we now want to see if we can stack it up against them and give ourselves another week’s breathing space.”
Warriors, who will be aiming to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since they beat London Wasps and Gloucester in consecutive games in January 2012, have also received a double boost.
David Lemi, who missed the win at Newcastle with a hamstring problem, returns to the backline, while Euan Murray has been named in front row after being unavailable to travel to Kingston Park due to religious reasons.
But they are the only two changes made to the starting 15 which beat Falcons, while Paul Warwick replaces Ignacio Mieres on the bench.
Ryan added: “I’m not going to mess around and create opportunities at this stage of the season.
“We have given people chances but there won’t be anyone coming from the outside now.
“We are a small group, but we had a huge confidence boost two weeks ago and we’re fresh, so that gives us every chance of getting something.”
Warriors’ side to face Exeter: Pennell, Drauniniu, Grove, Fatiaki, Lemi, Lamb, Arr, Fainga’anuku, Creevy, Murray, Percival, Galarza, Williams, Betty, Thomas (C)
Replacements: Shervington, Andrew, O’Donnell, Taulava, de Carpentier, Hodgson, Warwick, Symons
