PLYMOUTH Albion boss Graham Dawe says his players have to believe they can pull off a major shock at Brickfields on Saturday.

Albion have been handed the toughest test possible for their first home game — a fixture against a star-studded Worcester Warriors side.

Worcester, relegated from the Premiership in May, can field a team packed with internationals, including Andy Goode, Pat Sanderson and Neil Best.

They kick-started their campaign in the Championship by hammering Birmingham-Solihull 48-3 last weekend.

Albion, on the other hand, suffered a shock 51-3 defeat at Bedford Blues.

After last weekend's results, few people are giving Albion so much as a hope on Saturday, especially the bookies.

But Dawe insists his team will certainly not believe the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

"I don't think any player worth their salt goes into a game not thinking they are going to win," said Dawe.

"This weekend will not be any different for us."

He added: "It is a long time since Worcester were out of the Premiership and they have got an array of international talent, who have mixed it with the best over the years.

"But I believe our players will rise to the challenge of playing them."

Dawe admitted last week's heavy defeat at Bedford will have knocked his team's confidence.

But he insists his team have to try to forget about what has already happened and focus on the future.

"For sure last week will have knocked the confidence," he said. "But this is a fresh challenge.

"Every player should be mentally strong enough to take on the challenge.

"We are a team who are coming together. What we need is two or three massive performances within the team to bring it all together."

Dawe, who will come up against his former Bath and England team-mate Richard Hill on Saturday, admits the pressure will be on Worcester.

"Every week the pressure is always going to be on Worcester playing in this division," said Dawe.

"They have got a lot of experienced players, who can under perform at times, but invariably they can turn it on when they need to — even if that is in the 85th minute.

"They have got that mental strength."

Dawe, who celebrates his 51st birthday on Saturday, admits his team will be giving it everything in front of their own fans to try to pull off an historic victory.

"We have got a very enthusiastic team and they want to respond at home," said Dawe.

"The team will be giving it their best shot.

"But what we have to do is get off to a good start, get some early possession and try and get some continuity.

"We also have to be really physical around the ruck area."

Worcester coach Richard Hill, who suffered four out of five defeats at the hands of Dawe's Albion while he was coach of Bristol, believes his side will be facing a 'wounded animal' on Saturday.

"I wasn't expecting Plymouth to lose by that much (last week) and there is a chance we might catch them on the rebound," he told Worcester's club website.

"I was surprised (by their result) having watched Plymouth in pre-season against Neath where they looked a very accomplished team.

"Graham Dawe will not be happy with 50 points. He will make it clear that is not acceptable. So I expect we will get a reaction and they will be better.

"We are going to come across a very angry and wounded animal."

TICKETS for Saturday's match are on sale at www.plymouthalbion.com. Tickets purchased before Saturday are £1 cheaper than buying them on the day.

An adult ground ticket bought today or tomorrow will be £13, with a children's ticket just £1.