Horstmann took over the Worcester captaincy after Chris Pennell's injury

Worcester captain Kai Horstmann says the squad need to learn lessons from their home defeat by Cornish Pirates.

The Warriors back-row forward says they are determined to put things right when they face Nottingham at Sixways on Friday 29 October.

"Our performance was very poor. When we got into good areas we coughed up the ball," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester

"You want to see a reaction to that even though the boys were very angry and frustrated after the game."

Worcester found themselves 14-0 down at half-time against the Cornishmen before scrum-half Jonny Arr's try sparked a Warriors comeback which was thwarted by Rob Cook's late penalty to seal a 23-21 victory.

We had targeted to go unbeaten and I think we should have gone unbeaten Worcester's Kai Horstmann

Horstmann was at a loss to explain the error-strewn first-half performance that ultimately proved their undoing but insists they are determined to get back on track against Nottingham.

"We're a side that usually does really well under the lights here and the crowd seem to enjoy it and gets behind us," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"We get fantastic crowds and it was massively disappointing not to put on a show for them at the weekend.

"Everyone in the dressing room wants to get a result and perform really well so we can really show the crowd what we are capable of," he added.

Centre Alex Crockett and lock Greg Rawlinson will both return to the starting 15 for the match against Nottingham with Craig Gillies moving to the replacements bench.

Worcester had hoped to emulate Northampton's unbeaten 2007-8 season in English rugby's second tier which, while a tough task, Horstmann said the squad felt it was achievable.

"We had targeted to go unbeaten and I think we should have done," he said.

"This has happened and, yes, every side will raise its game against us and treat it as a cup final.

"But we should expect that - it is tough but it is certainly going to be a lot tougher if and when we get back up into the Premiership."

The club has announced it is to hold an open training session on Thursday 28 October from 1830 BST when supporters will be able to watch the squad being put through its paces.

The is full commentary on Worcester v Nottingham on Friday, 29 October from 2000 BST on 104 FM on BBC Hereford & Worcester and online.

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