BRYCE Heem believes the fight for survival will “go down to the wire” and urged his Worcester Warriors team-mates to remain composed in the heat of the battle.

The powerful wing reckons today’s home clash against Sale Sharks (3pm) is a “must-win” for Warriors who are trapped in a relegation scrap with Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears.

Prior to last night’s Gallagher Premiership showdown between Falcons, who were occupying 12th place, and Tigers, Worcester were only one place and three points above the drop zone.

Heem said it was now down to who could hold their nerve and not allow the pressure to “eat away at us” as the stakes increase.

“I checked the other day that Bristol, Leicester and Newcastle still had to play each other so it is going to go down to the wire,” Heem said.

“But we can’t rely on other results. We just have to focus on Warriors, go out there and put some wins together.

“I would say (keeping your nerve) is the biggest part of it.

“You can’t let that pressure rise and eat away at you. You have got to go out there every game day to play rugby and don’t try to force things.

“I am not saying play safe rugby but those 50-50 decisions are massive in these next few games.

“We have got to keep our composure.”

Warriors have been guilty of making too many errors this season while slow starts have also cost them dear as they conceded three early tries in last weekend’s 26-18 defeat at Wasps.

“It was quite a frustrating game to watch,” said Heem who was ruled out with a foot injury.

“At times we have been our own worst enemy and going forward to this weekend we really need to minimise those unforced errors.

“If we can do that I think we can beat any team.

“I wouldn’t say (those mistakes) were down to pressure.

“It was more down to a lack of concentration but going forward the boys are definitely going to be mentally there and will rise to the occasion and play to their potential.”

Heem, who joined Warriors in November 2015 and is due to leave this summer, has helped the club beat the drop for the past three seasons.

Although frustrated to find himself at the wrong end of the table again the 30-year-old felt Warriors were in a better position than their rivals to retain their top-flight status.

“For other teams (this situation) is probably quite new to them but the positive is that we have been here before and we have made it out alive,” Heem said.

“I definitely think we can survive again.

“This sort of pressure might eat away at some other teams but I am sure we will be fine.

“We have been here before and I am sure we can do it again.

“We can look back on those close defeats and think if we had won those we might be in a different position.

“But you have got to take each game as it comes and that is Sale on Saturday which is a must-win for us.”