HOOKER Niall Annett has called on Worcester Warriors fans to make their voices heard when they go up against struggling Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.
The Falcons will arrive at Sixways desperate to kick start their season having suffered three successive defeats, including a 41-3 thrashing to Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
And Annett insisted Warriors were up for the battle as they bid to bounce back from their narrow loss to Gloucester and secure their second home win of the campaign.
But he admitted Warriors’ supporters could be crucial to their efforts to make Sixways a ‘fortress’ this season.
“Every game is a big one and one we want to try and win, but we are at home next week and that’s a big thing for us,” he said.
“So the more people who come down to support us and the more people who stick on a Worcester jersey and shout for us the better as it really does help us on the pitch,” he said.
“I tihnk the Gloucester fans were brilliant and I would not expect any different from our fans back home.
“I think every team in this league wants to make their own home pitch a fortress and we are no different.”
A maximum point victory for Warriors could see them move ten points clear of Newcastle, while a win for the visitors would drag Dean Ryan’s men back into the relegation mix-up.
As well as being in better form, though, Worcester could also be boosted by the inclusion of wing Bryce Heem and Georgian international Jaba Bregvadze who both joined the club last week.
Bregvadze is set to provide competition for the number two jersey, but 24-year-old Annett, who has started Warriors’ first three games at hooker, told The Observer he was not willing to give his shirt up easily.
“I bumped into Jaba last week, said hello and had a brief chat,” Annett said. “He seems like a lovely guy and I am looking forward to challenging myself to keep a starting jersey.
“There is always competition and I never thought Worcester would be any different, so I am not surprised they signed him. I think it makes sense.
“But there is more in me, I know there is. I just need to keep going, keep getting better and improve different things in my game.”