IMPROVING their wretched away record is the biggest challenge facing Worcester Warriors, according to director of rugby Gary Gold.

Second-from-bottom Warriors have failed to pick up a point from eight Aviva Premiership matches this term – and must travel to table-topping Wasps on Sunday (2pm).

Trips to Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons are Warriors' other two away matches this term.

Gold believes Worcester’s next step is to start putting in committed performances away from the comfort of their Sixways headquarters.

He is hoping their crucial 41-24 victory against fellow strugglers Bristol  will act as springboard for further success.

“Our challenge now is to perform like we did at home to Bristol and that’s our next step,” said Gold.

“We are 11th in the table and we need to improve.

“The odds aren’t necessarily stacked in our favour but this is as good a time as any to use the win as a foundation to be able to have confidence to go away from home.”

Gold steered Warriors to a 53-38 Anglo-Welsh Cup win at Cardiff Blues in his first game in charge on February 4.

But their last top tier away triumph was a 21-15 success against Harlequins at Twickenham on March 19, 2016 when Dean Ryan was director or rugby.

In fact, Warriors have played 30 away Premiership matches since the beginning of the 2013/14 season, winning only three and suffering 27 defeats.

In addition to the three away matches, Warriors have home matches against play-off chasing Bath and Leicester Tigers before the season concludes.

“Even if we were safe with two games to go I wouldn’t want us to take our foot off the gas against Leicester in the last game of the season,” said Gold.

“We have to prove to the supporters we are a team who are serious.

“Even if we end up coming 11th we want to come 11th with a huge fighting spirit.

“If we do stay up in the Premiership, then we shouldn’t be a bottom two or bottom three team.”

Warriors are seven points clear to basement boys Bristol and their 17-point margin of victory in the relegation scrap was much more comprehensive than most pundits anticipated.

“I would have taken a one point win and four points and allowed them to have got a point,” said Gold.

“I would have been very grateful for that.

“It was important for many reasons we came out and gave a good performance but I’ve always thought Bristol are good team. They’ve got a brilliant backline.

“I was very proud of the guys because I don’t look at Bristol as a team who are bottom of the table."

Gold added: “Bristol have also had their off-field woes and I think they are a good team. If you disrespect Bristol and take them lightly, as potentially Bath did, they are good enough to beat you.”