EXPERIENCED referee Wayne Barnes will take charge of Worcester Warriors’ crunch Aviva Premiership clash against relegation rivals Bristol at Sixways on Sunday (3pm).

Barnes will be officiating in his 179th Premiership game with assistance from Matthew Carley and Paul Dix.

David Grashoff is the television match official.

Barnes was the man in the middle when Bristol sealed a 28-20 victory against Warriors at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day.

The official dismissed Bristol centre Tusi Pisi in the 14th minute of that contest after the Samoan took out Jamie Shillcock in the air with a clumsy challenge.

Bristol’s 12-11 victory at home to Bath on Sunday ended a run of seven successive first team defeats.

Bristol’s only away win in the Premiership this season has been a 24-23 success at Sale Sharks on New Year’s Day.

Worcester’s only victory in the last four rounds of the top tier has been a 24-18 success against Saracens.

Warriors have won three, drawn two and lost three of their eight home Premiership matches this term.

Worcester are second-from-bottom and just two points better off than basement boys Bristol.