Hill: Wants a better performance

Hill's team will target their first league win of the season tonight when London Irish visit Sixways.

The Warriors returned from Franklin's Gardens with two losing bonus points courtesy of a remarkable four-try blast that brought them back from 37-3 adrift to just six points behind.

But Hill admitted Worcester cannot afford such a dreadful start during the remainder of their Premiership campaign.

"We had a big inquest on Monday to find out why we went 37-3 down, because that is unacceptable," he added.

"I think some of the players were in awe of the opposition at the start, and we can't afford for that to happen again.

"London Irish will be full of confidence after getting their first win of the season last weekend, so we will have to make sure we start well.

"Our attacking game is working really well and we are producing good rugby, but we will have to concentrate on our defensive play against Irish.

"Irish will be a different prospect to Northampton as they will play a lot of rugby and move the ball around."

Northampton will go top of the Premiership if they beat Wasps at Franklin's Gardens tonight.

Recent results point emphatically to a home win, with Northampton unbeaten from four starts and Wasps recording just one victory during that same period.

But coach Jim Mallinder said: "Wasps have been very competitive in every game this season.

"They soundly beat London Irish two weeks ago, and they scored 40 points against Harlequins on the opening weekend.

"They have some of the most dangerous runners in the league, experienced playmakers at half-back and a pack which has the ability to produce quality ball.

"They have shown several times what can happen if they are given the chance to play."

Prop Tim Payne makes his 250th appearance for Wasps in a side that also sees starts for wing James Bailey, fly-half Nicky Robinson and number eight Billy Vunipola. Saints, meanwhile, call up centre Dom Waldouck and flanker Tom Wood.

Olly Barkley will sign off from Bath on Sunday in their Premiership clash against Recreation Ground visitors Sale Sharks.

The England international fly-half heads to Paris early next week after signing for Racing Metro, and he can be assured of an emotional farewell as Bath target a first league win in three starts.

Sale, meanwhile, currently prop up the Premiership with one point from four games, a run that resulted in them parting company with forwards coach Steve Scott last weekend.

Sunday's other game sees Leicester hosting Exeter, with London Welsh bidding for a third successive Premiership victory against Gloucester on Sunday, when Harlequins entertain Saracens.