DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold admits Worcester Warriors must blunt Leicester Tigers’ “harder edge” under Matt O’Connor to topple the 10 times Aviva Premiership champions.

The former Australian centre returned as head coach at Welford Road last month, replacing Aaron Mauger, after winning three Premiership titles in his previous five-year spell at the club.

Tigers need just two points at Sixways on Saturday (4pm) to guarantee their place in the top four and the end-of-season play-offs for a 13th successive campaign.

Leicester have won their last 14 fixtures against Worcester since Warriors’ narrow 23-19 triumph at Sixways in March 2008.

“Matt has gone in and, no matter how controversial his appointment was, has definitely brought in a harder edge to what Leicester are about,” said Gold.

“They are very combative, carry well and from some of the stuff I’ve seen have become a lot more clinical in what they are trying to do.

“Leicester have had a boost of confidence after winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup and a new voice can bring that across a club as we have seen. They are coming here to secure the top four position.”

Warriors were well beaten 34-13 at Welford Road in October when head coach Carl Hogg was in charge of first team affairs with Nick Johnston.

But Warriors have won three of their last four home matches under Gold, including an impressive 25-19 victory against Tigers’ play-off rivals Bath.

Tigers’ only defeat in their last six matches was a 27-21 loss to Bath at Twickenham last month.

Freddie Burns was in inspired form for Tigers last Saturday as they sealed a comfortable five-try, 41-18 home triumph against Sale Sharks.

Burns crossed the whitewash and slotted four conversions and two penalties in a 19-point haul which led Tigers to victory and maintained their grip on the final play-off spot.

Warriors conceded a late converted try in a 16-14 defeat at Newcastle Falcons last Friday which meant Worcester lost all 11 of their away Premiership matches this term.

However, Gold is determined for Warriors to maintain their focus in their season finale and send the capacity Sixways crowd home happy.

“I think we have scored the most tries Warriors have ever scored in the Premiership (at home) and we would love to build on that this weekend,” said Gold.

“We want to finish the season on the same path we have been travelling on over the last couple of months and, hopefully, with a continued improvement.

“Week by week there are things which have been getting better.

“Maybe that hasn’t always resonated in the results but I definitely think there’s evidence of improvement on what we’ve been working on.

“I would love that to come together against a top-quality team like Leicester just to pay back the supporters for the wonderful loyalty they’ve shown us but also to continue to build on the confidence that we are team who can compete with the top six.”

Gold added: “We may not beat all of them and I don’t think we are near being the finished project. But I just want a significant improvement and to be able to go toe to toe with a team like Leicester.”