DEAN Ryan guarantees his wounded Worcester Warriors players will respond in today’s Aviva Premiership home battle against Bath (3pm).

Warriors’ director of rugby said there had been words “internally” after the dismal 20-13 defeat at London Irish left them fighting a three-way relegation battle.

They remained 10th in the Premiership but just one point better off than Irish and basement boys Newcastle Falcons at the halfway stage of the season.

Worcester have been rocked by a nine-week ban for influential Fijian lock Tevita Cavubati, who pleaded guilty to biting an Irish opponent.

Ryan said: “We’ve said a lot internally and are looking for a response this weekend. I don’t need to highlight people externally but last weekend wasn’t acceptable for the magnitude of the game and for us as a club.

“We have spent a long time trying to build something which has value and there’s no doubt we took some backward steps at Irish. I would expect the group to respond and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to do that,” said Worcester Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan.

Warriors have lost their last 12 matches, while Bath have suffered six defeats on the trot.

Worcester’s sole victory over Bath in the last 15 meetings was a 16-7 Premiership success at Sixways in November 2011 when Warriors coach Sam Vesty and injured winger Tom Biggs were in the visitors’ line-up.

Ryan said: “I would be surprised if I didn’t get a response from some of the things that have been asked of the players.

“There’s been a lot happening in the last few days and we now need to move on. I look forward to seeing a response (from the players) and I guarantee I will get one.

“They are desperate to respond and I am looking forward to it. It’s easy to target individuals as a catalyst for what happened but there was also a collective.”

Ryan admitted Worcester’s players and coaches now needed to demonstrate their actions on the pitch.

“You only get the chance to represent yourself and the club by playing rugby,” said Ryan.

“The Irish match has gone and we were very fortunate to come away with a losing bonus point.

“I can assure everyone that what needed to be said has been said. It’s now the responsibility of how people want to act going forward.

“The only answer now is on the rugby field. You do the damage on the rugby field and you can only recover it there too.”