ACTION needed to be taken this week after their run of consecutive league defeats stretched to seven - and the Worcester response has been interesting to say the least.

The arrival of Phil Larder on the scene has taken most of us by surprise but his capture could prove a smart move.

We all saw the effect Eddie Jones had on Saracens last season when he arrived on a consultancy basis.

Larder may not have the same pedigree as the Australian but he is an established and respected coach, whose insight can only help the Worcester cause.

It can't hurt to try something new when the team is cut adrift at the bottom of the table but there is still one thing puzzling about the Larder affair.

Warriors have scored fewer points than any other side in Premiership games this season despite a healthy contribution of 62 from fly-half Shane Drahm.

Admittedly, more tries have been scored recently but they have tended to come from catch-and-drives close to the line rather than penetrating backs moves.

With the notable exception of Gloucester, the backs have failed to pose a co-ordinated threat to opposition sides.

Attack would appear to be the biggest problem at Sixways and it remains to be seen what the role of Larder - a noted defensive coach - is in improving this area.

To confuse the issue further, leading try-scorer Aisea Havili has been left out of the starting line-up for tomorrow night's trip to Harlequins (7.45pm).

Of course, it will all start to make sense if Worcester secure a much-needed victory and if ever there was a time to gamble, it is now.

There have been plenty of suggestions made on why things are not going right at Sixways but one thing which shouldn't be up for debate is the level of commitment shown by the players. Former Worcester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, now at Quins, had his say this week and has claimed he was "uninspired" by the coaching at Sixways.

But he also stressed the absolute dedication of the players.

"It's not for the lack of trying," said Gomarsall. "It is not the players' fault. They go out there and try their hardest every game.

"The guys are terrific guys and they are all in it together."

It could be an emotional reunion for Gomarsall tonight and another who will be renewing acquaintances with old friends is Warriors captain Kai Horstmann.

The back-rower was off-loaded by the Middlesex club after they were relegated in 2005 and is particularly eager to mark his return with a win.

"On a personal level it's the one I am really looking forward to," said Horstmann. "It would be brilliant to get one over on them.

"I still speak to quite a few of the guys.

"It wasn't really my decision (to leave) but I have moved on.

"Worcester gave me the opportunities that Quins never really did. But you always have a few emotions when you spent a lot of time at a club."