RICHARD Hill has threatened to wield the axe after watching a strong Warriors side beaten 22-12 by a youthful Saracens in the LV= Cup at Sixways.

With this weekend’s trip to Bath in mind, head coach Hill named a powerful team to face Sarries for what was basically a dead rubber for the home side.

However, the Worcester players were well below par and Hill now faces a real selection headache in the lead up to Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash at The Rec (2.15pm).

Hill said: “That performance has caused me headaches.

“I would have liked to have seen a good performance against Saracens and then I could have penned in a few people.

“But clearly the way our set-piece went is a big concern.

“With the front five we had, we would have expected to dominate the scrum. There is also the discipline to look at.

“It has not made my life very easy because clearly if we go with that team this week, on that performance, we are going to get pumped.

“We will need to look at selection carefully. I’m not saying wholesale changes, but some will need to realise that is not acceptable and that level of performance is not good enough.”

Hill added: “Clearly changes will have to be made — there are people who can come into the side.

“We all realise we need to produce something special to win.

“Bath have a good defensive record and can threaten you in attack. We have to look at defence and set-piece.

“We can win there, but we will be underdogs and need to produce a special display. Bath are hitting some form and have a European quarter-final to look forward to too.

“I’m sure they will look at us and think it is a game they should win.

“We have got an almighty week coming up to really pull ourselves around.

“We need to be positive and train hard before we have a hell of a game at Bath.”