THE support from the Sixways crowd will be “critical” for Worcester Warriors in “really hard-fought moments” against Bristol tomorrow (3pm).

Director of rugby Gary Gold is urging Worcester’s fans to make themselves heard in the vital Aviva Premiership relegation clash.

Warriors could take a big step towards safety if they pick up a victory against a Bristol side seeking to climb off the bottom for the first time since September.

“The fans will be critical and there’s no point in even trying to deny it,” said Gold, whose side are two points above Bristol.

“They will be critical in those really hard fought moments in a game whether it’s defending a drive or wanting to score from a drive.

“The crowd makes a difference when you are going through 15 or 16 phases of play and really need to hold on to the ball when you’re blowing.

“To hear your home crowd supporting you gives you a big lift. It will make a huge difference.”

Warriors are expecting a near sell-out 12,024 crowd for the derby which will be their highest home attendance since reaching capacity against Bristol in the Championship final second leg in May 2015.

And Gold believes the roars from the home crowd have already helped Warriors to five points since he arrived at the club last month.

“The crowd gave us a lift against Saracens and it kept us in the fight against Exeter Chiefs and I am excited it looks like being a sell-out at Sixways this weekend,” he said.