Worcester boss Mike Ruddock has demanded a response from his forwards when the Warriors face Guinness Premiership opponents Newcastle at Kingston Park on Sunday.

Ruddock's team, one point and one place below their hosts, head north on the back of a 26-22 home defeat against Harlequins.

The Worcester rugby director has delivered some straight-talking to a pack he felt did not deliver.

"It will be a big battle for us up front, and I have really challenged my forwards," said Ruddock.

"I have laid the gauntlet down to them to respond to coming second best (last Saturday) and give a performance that we need and is required at Newcastle.

"We struggled up front against Harlequins, and the big message to the forwards all week was that we didn't perform to where we wanted to.

"I was very disappointed with the pack last week - they know that."

Ruddock has called up prop Callum Black and flanker Jake Abbott, while also switching captain Pat Sanderson to number eight in pursuit of a far more effective display.

Newcastle, though - beaten just twice in eight domestic and European starts this term - are relying on their forwards to gain the upper hand.

Falcons coach Alan Tait said: "The key to the whole thing is trying to break their [Worcester's] spirit up front.

"That is what has been pleasing for me in the past two games, the fact that our forwards have really taken that challenge on after (rugby director) Steve Bates had some pretty blunt words following the Padova Challenge Cup game.

"They were second-best in Italy - but they've taken it on the chin and really fronted up.

"They will need to do the same on Sunday, because this Worcester pack are a very physical lot and will make us fight for every single millimetre."

Bates makes two changes from the side that won impressively at Bath last weekend.

Full-back Alex Tait returns after recovering from an ankle injury, so Charlie Amesbury reverts to the wing instead of Tom Biggs - and number eight Filipo Levi is back following a bout of gastroenteritis, meaning Adam Balding drops out.

England lock Simon Shaw, meanwhile, is set to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a foot injury when Wasps host Leeds Carnegie on Sunday,

Shaw is on the bench - but flanker Joe Worsley, who was temporarily released from England duty on Wednesday, starts in the back row.

Leeds show three changes from the side that gained a losing bonus point away to Saracens last Sunday, all in the pack. Australian prop Gareth Hardy takes over from Tommy McGee; hooker Vili Ma'asi starts instead of Phil Nilsen, and lock Phil Murphy makes way for Erik Lund.

Leeds are currently five points adrift at the Premiership basement, but their performance against Saracens had its moments.

"We just need the rub of the green or the bounce of the ball to go our way, and things will turn around for us," said Leeds rugby director Andy Key.

"We have taken a lot of confidence from last week's performance against a very strong Saracens outfit.

"I read the comments coming from their camp about how hard they found our game - and I suppose that is a back-handed compliment."