STAR-STUDDED Wasps will rip Worcester Warriors “to shreds” if the men from Sixways switch off in Sunday’s Midlands derby at the Ricoh Arena (2.30pm).

That’s the stark warning from Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold who has described his side’s challenge as the “ultimate test”.

Gold admits 11th-placed Warriors will need “a few strings” to their game to cope with the threats from Wasps, who are top of the Aviva Premiership.

“If you consider where Wasps’ threats come from around the park this is going to be the ultimate test,” said Gold.

“They beat Bath comprehensively at the Rec in their last game.

“If you take your foot off the gas for a second - and we saw signs of it when we played against Exeter Chiefs - a team like Wasps can rip you to shreds.

“Our concentration has to remain for the full 80 minutes.

“I think you need a few strings to your bow and you need to be clever in the way you approach the game against them.”

Gold says Warriors will try to steer the game towards a “few areas” and must be “ruthless” when they have attacking opportunities.

Gold was not at the club when Wasps recorded a 26-12 Premiership win at Sixways in December.

Defence coach Simon Cross oversaw Warriors when Wasps romped to 62-10 Anglo-Welsh Cup victory at the Ricoh in November.

“There are a few areas you want to try to steer the game towards,” said Gold.

“We know Wasps are going to get possession and we have to stop their running game and when we get our own opportunities we have to be ruthless in taking them.

“I am assuming we are not going to get too many opportunities.

“We are probably not going to go too much away from what we’ve been working on for the last four or five weeks because we still think we have a lot of room to improve in that area."

Warriors’ chief has worked with some of Wasps’ high-profile players in the past.

He saluted the work done at Wasps by his counterpart Dai Young.

“I’ve been lucky to work and coach with some of their players and Wasps are a team who have come on leaps and bounds,” said Gold.

“Wasps are world-class from one to 15 and Dai has done an amazing job there.

“It’s weird to recall that a handful of years ago when I was doing a job for Newcastle Falcons they were scrapping it out against Wasps. But Wasps are now top of the table. Dai is a brilliant guy and a great coach."

Gold added: “It’s great to see a club like Wasps have backed Dai through the tough times and now he’s delivering. Wasps have a great squad and it’s going to be a very tough game for us.”