WORCESTER Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas is expecting a "backlash" from this weekend's Gallagher Premiership opponents Newcastle Falcons after their 74-3 defeat to Exeter Chiefs last Sunday.

Falcons made a number of changes for the trip to the reigning champions at Sandy Park, and were comprehensively dispatched by a ruthless Exeter display.

Worcester were slightly more successful than Falcons were when facing Exeter last month but were still comfortably beaten by the Chiefs, 41-10.

Warriors will know all to well what it's like to be on the other end of a thumping defeat, having endured a horrendous 80 minutes against Northampton Saints in March, losing 14-62.

Thomas is expecting a reaction from Newcastle this Saturday when the two sides meet at Kingston Park (3pm kick-off).

"It's obviously a tough result for them to have to take," added Thomas.

"You always expect a backlash from that. They changed their side up and Sandy Park is a tough place to go with a second string team so we are not going to pay much attention to that result.

"We know that in their last couple of home games they have been pretty consistent and they'll be tough to beat, no doubt."

Warriors have two games in which to find a second win of the season and end a 17-match losing streak in the league.

They came, once more, agonisingly close to doing just that last Saturday at Sixways when losing by a single point to Tigers.

They had lead 17-6 early in the second-half but two Ellis Genge tries saw the visitors edge it, 18-17.

It was Worcester's eighth losing bonus point of the season, the most of any other team in the league and Thomas puts that down to the "top two inches".

"It was a case of close, but no cigar," admitted Thomas.

"It's frustrating for all concerned. We knew how powerful Tigers would be and the challenge they posed but we had prepared well for the game and for large parts we did really well.

"The spine of our team is young - but it's exciting. But, what you need to win tight games is a bit of experience and i think that's the growth we are going through at the moment.

"In the games we could have, should have won, that little bit of experience has probably cost us.

"The players are working really hard but it's the top two inches that we haven't got yet, but they will get there."