NEWCASTLE Falcons captain Phil Dowson has banged the drum ahead of his side’s Guinness Premiership clash with the Warriors tonight, insisting his team have plenty to prove.

Going into the game on the back of a 24-8 home defeat to London Irish, Dowson pulled no punches in his post-mortem of the Kingston Park loss, but insisted the squad remains fully focused and determined to make amends.

With the Sixways clash coming just five days after Newcastle’s last outing, Dowson said: “We’ve been well looked after physically this week with a Sunday-to-Friday turnaround and we know that confidence is going to be a massive factor.

“Obviously Worcester have no shortage of that after getting a result up at Sale, but we have the mindset that there is nothing for us to fear.

“We need to go down there full of belief, execute the plans we have set up and really battle for each other.

“Last weekend we didn’t show up, it was a total abomination of a performance, but that’s gone now, so rather than crying over spilt milk we’re looking ahead and working hard to get things back on track.

“It’s great to get guys like Davey Wilson and Geoff Parling back from injury, because it’s a pretty lonely place when you’re rehabbing in the gym and the physio room for months on end.

“When you’re in that situation you just look forward to any chance you get to play. So, for those boys, it will be a massive game.

“They both made good cameos last Sunday, there are points to prove in terms of selection and having them back has been a real lift.”

In terms of his own role as skipper, Dowson added: “There is only so far words can get you, ultimately it’s about our actions out on the field and obviously as captain I have a role to play in that.

“I have to hold my hands up and say I didn’t do that through my own performance on Sunday, but I’m determined to make amends on Friday night and lead by example.”