NEWCASTLE lock Mark Sorenson feels dealing with Worcester’s direct game plan will be crucial if his side are to secure victory in tonight’s Guinness Premiership meeting at Sixways.

The Falcons enter the game lying eighth in the Premiership table, just two places and three points off Heineken Cup qualification, following last weekend’s home draw against London Irish, .

Worcester are 11th in the table, just a point above bottom side Leeds, and Sorenson believes the Warriors recent poor run has shown the Falcons how to approach the match.

He said: ‘‘They maybe lack a bit of cohesion when they’re under pressure, they hit up a lot through their midfield and go through their pack so it’s a fairly simple game plan they have.

‘‘They like to bash it up the middle, and if we can slow those guys down then we’re in with a chance.

“That’s not easy when you’re talking about quality players like (former All Black centre) Sam Tuitupou, but if we can cut off that route then we’re halfway there.’’ And the former Bay of Plenty lock believes if the Falcons can secure Heineken Cup rugby it would provide a huge boost for the club and the game in the North-East.

‘‘We haven’t been in the Heineken Cup for about five years now, and that’s a huge goal for the boys at the moment to try and secure that for the fans next season,’’ he said.

‘‘The team needs to get there to move on to the next level, and to get some huge games up here on a regular basis.

‘‘That would inspire the whole area I think, and the fans would really get behind us if we could pull it off. We need a win this Friday to keep that ambition alive, but you can feel the buzz this week and I’m confident the boys will do it.’’ Warriors boss Mike Ruddock wants his side to make the most of their remaining home matches if they are to avoid relegation from the top flight, but has warned they will face a formidable test in the form of the Falcons’ powerful front row.

‘‘We have got five home matches left out of our total of eight games to play – we really need to make home advantage count,’’ said the former Wales coach.

‘‘Newcastle have had a good season to date and (prop) Carl Hayman has really galvanised their pack, they have become an extremely difficult unit to play against.’’ Worcester are led by flanker Pat Sanderson who, one week after making his 200th Premiership appearance, will skipper the Warriors for the 100th time.

Only Lawrence Dallaglio (142) and Martin Johnson (132) have more top-flight appearances as captain.

Falcons’ No 8 Adam Balding is handed a start against the team he will join in the summer, with a reshuffled back row seeing Peter Browne shift to blindside as Brent Wilson reverts to the openside.

The only other change comes in the backs, with Rob Vickerman replacing the injured Charlie Amesbury.