SHANE Drahm is set to be the major casualty of Worcester Warriors' disappointing home defeat to Harlequins.

The Aussie stand-off will be sacrificed for Sunday's trip to Newcastle Falcons in favour of Loki Crichton, who came off the bench to score a last-gasp bonus point-saving try against Quins.

The Samoan fly-half will come into the starting XV to face his former club at Kingston Park, while scrum-half Matt Powell is set to keep the number nine jersey.

The Powell-Drahm half-back axis was criticised by supporters in the wake of the 10-7 defeat to Dean Richards' men, but Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock is set to keep faith with the Welshman.

Teenage scrum-half Jonny Arr replaced Powell against Harlequins and did well to set up Crichton's try, but Ruddock will opt for experience over enthusiasm on Sunday.

Ruddock said: "We were obviously disappointed to lose at home to Harlequins, but Crichton did very well. He really made an impact and scored a fantastic try.

"There is every chance that we will now look at starting with Loki at 10 for Sunday's game at Newcastle. Also, he will be keen to do well against his former club.

"Matt is also likely to start at nine. We spoke to him after the Harlequins match and he recognised that he didn't have his best game.

"But he gives us a good organisational ability and that is going to be an important area against a team like Newcastle."

Warriors' normally rock-solid pack received a torrid time against the men from The Stoop with youngster Matt Mullan coming in for some particularly tough treatment.

The 20-year-old prop was taken out of the firing line early in the second-half to be replaced by Darren Morris and the former British Lion will continue against the Falcons.

Newcastle have an impressive pack, which has been bolstered by the recent arrival of world-class Kiwi front-rower Carl Hayman, so Ruddock will need Morris' considerable experience.

The former Grand Slam-winning coach said: "In the front row, Darren will probably start in place of Matt. Our scrum was a massive bonus for us against London Irish, but Quins focused on that area and got the nudge on us.

"So we have banged the drum about our scrum in training this week and we must be more consistent in that area against Newcastle."

One player who definitely won't feature against the Falcons is wing Marcel Garvey, who has picked up an abductor muscle strain.