WORCESTER Warriors “should take heed” of their 62-10 Anglo-Welsh Cup mauling by Wasps earlier this term.

Director of rugby Gary Gold believes Wasps will “licking their lips” as they bid to clinch an Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final berth.

Scrum-half Dan Robson’s running game caused mayhem in Warriors’ defence as they were ripped open in November.

“That’s something we should take heed of,” said Gold, who wasn’t at Warriors when they last travelled to the Ricoh Arena.

“That’s the type of threat Wasps pose.

“We have to respect them because they are a world-class outfit and will have a lot of confidence.

“I think Wasps will be licking their lips seeing the 11th-placed team coming to town.

"We’ve got a momentous battle on our hands this weekend.”

Wasps travel to Irish outfit Leinster next weekend in the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup and Gold is hoping Warriors can build on their own victory against Bristol.

The former South African assistant coach believes Warriors’ players shouldn’t lack motivation as they prepare to lock horns with one of the heavyweights in European club rugby.

“The players must understand that if we take our foot off the gas or we are not up for it, we have the ability to get a proper hiding,” said Gold.

“We don’t want to get a hiding because it will dent our confidence again.

“You’ve got England, Australian and South African internationals playing against you and it’s what you play the game for.

“There should not be a lack of motivation from us going to the Ricoh because we are still fighting for survival.

“There’s everything to play for and I am confident the guys understand the magnitude of the game.”

Wasps have former England international Danny Cipriani in their ranks and Warriors’ chief is expecting a high tempo game from the hosts.

“I see it being a fast game on the surface they’ve got,” said Gold.

“With the backs they’ve got, I think they will want to try to move us from one end of the pitch to the other.

"We are anticipating that and it also being a very hard work-rate day for us.

“Our challenge is to make sure we look after the ball and when we get it we need to take our opportunities.

"It’s pretty safe to say we are not going to get too many opportunities if you look at Wasps' last game against Bath.

"They were outstandingly clinical and Bath didn’t get too many opportunities.

"If we don’t take our own opportunities it will be a long day for us."

He added: “I am really excited to play against a top quality team like Wasps. I am really excited with the way they players have responded and come on. They are up for the challenge and they want to make a statement to our supporters."