WORCESTER Warriors may have thrilled their supporters with three successive last-gasp victories.

But hooker Niall Annett is hoping for a “less nerve-racking” afternoon at Sixways tomorrow when Warriors tackle Wasps in the Premiership Cup (3pm).

Worcester need to beat the Ricoh Arena outfit by at least a two-point margin and with a try bonus point to pip Saracens to top spot in Pool Two and secure a home semi-final.

A victory without four tries could also be enough for Alan Solomons’ side to go through as the highest-ranked runners-up with Newcastle Falcons needing a maximum-point triumph at Sale Sharks to keep their hopes alive.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup, Annett said he and his Warriors team-mates were now targeting more knockout rugby.

“We have put ourselves in a position where we are playing in a European quarter-final and have an opportunity to play in another cup semi-final,” Annett said.

“That’s not something we have achieved since I have been here which is very exciting for the players and it must be even more exciting for the fans.”

Ryan Mills’ last-minute drop-goal clinched a dramatic 20-18 success at Ospreys before three tries in the final six minutes saw Warriors stun Stade Francais 36-31 at Sixways.

Annett felt their Gallagher Premiership victory over Bath in early January when they overhauled a 19-3 deficit to win 21-19 was the “catalyst” for their recent European fightbacks.

But the 27-year-old said Worcester were looking to make a “statement” in the opening 20 minutes tomorrow to avoid needing to launch another comeback.

“Hopefully we can make it a little less nerve-racking for the spectators and the coaches,” Annett said.

“I played in the Ospreys game and when I saw Millsy’s drop kick take a right turn and go through the posts I was very happy.

“But when it looked like it was going left I was about to give him some!

“Last-minute wins are what sport is about and we certainly enjoyed them.

“It is very easy to lose those games and be like ‘We gave it our best shot, we were unlucky’.

“We have been guilty of being like that in the past couple of years so it is nice to be on the other side of that.”

Wasps are unable to progress in the competition after picking up one point from their three Pool Three games.

“We have got to respect Wasps as they are going to come here to play a good brand of rugby like they always do,” Annett added.

“They have got a strong squad too.

“Irrelevant of who they pick it is going to be a tough game.

“We would prefer it not to go down to the 80th or even 90th minute like it was against Bath so we will certainly look to put out a statement in the first 20 minutes.”