THE pressure is on Worcester Warriors to pick up victories in the Aviva Premiership, according to wing Tom Howe.

Warriors are nine points clear of the drop zone heading into Saturday’s clash against defending champions Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park (2pm).

But Howe believes bottom club London Irish are gaining momentum after ending an 11-match losing streak with four wins on the trot.

The Exiles beat Krasny Yar home and away in the European Challenge Cup before thrashing a youthful Wasps outfit 66-7 and claiming a 42-21 success at Cardiff Blues in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Nick Kennedy’s rejuvenated side will return to league action with a home clash against mid-table Sale Sharks while Warriors face the daunting trip to leaders Exeter.

“With Irish doing really well in the Anglo-Welsh Cup it would have given them a momentum boost for sure,” Howe said.

“With them right behind us we have got to be putting in performances. They are putting the pressure on us so we have got to knuckle down and get some wins.”

Over the past four weeks Warriors have drawn 24-24 with Connacht, lost 33-7 at Brive, beaten Exeter 31-21 and suffered a 33-27 defeat at Dragons.

Despite being knocked out of both cups, Howe said Warriors could at least concentrate fully on their final nine league games.

“It will be nice to just focus on one tournament,” said the 22-year-old.

“We had a bit of momentum going in the Premiership with the wins over Irish, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints so hopefully we can carry that on against Exeter.”

Chiefs have won 10 of their 13 games in the top flight this season including a 41-10 hammering of Warriors at Sixways in September.

But Howe insisted Worcester received a “huge confidence boost” when they beat a weakened Exeter side in the Anglo-Welsh Cup two weeks ago.

It was Warriors’ first win over Chiefs since 2004 and ended a run of 12 straight losses against Rob Baxter’s men.

Howe will hope to play in Warriors’ next meeting with Exeter after scoring six tries in his last six games.

“It would have been nice to have won at Dragons going into it,” said Howe who crossed the whitewash in the defeat at Rodney Parade.

“But it will probably be quite a different team that will play against Exeter.

“We got a nice win against them last time out so we are looking forward to going down there and putting in a good performance.

“Exeter have a great system in place so whether that was their full-strength squad or not the players came in and still put in good performances.

“The win gave us a huge confidence boost.”