WORCESTER Warriors fell 26-6 to Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs at Sixways in their final friendly before next Sunday's Championship opener at Bristol.

Dean Ryan's side, aiming to bounce back after relegation from the top-flight, produced another encouraging pre-season display in wet conditions with Ignacio Mieres kicking two penalties.

But tries from Jack Yeandle (2), Mitch Lees and Thomas Waldrom helped Exeter to victory.

Full-back Chris Pennell made his first Warriors appearance since his England debut against New Zealand this summer.

GJ van Velze was handed the captain's armband again as Worcester looked to end pre-season with their second Sixways victory.

Exeter scrum-half Will Chudley was stretchered off in the first minute with what looked like a serious injury after attempting to tackle Van Velze.

After a five-minute delay, Warriors took the lead with a routine close-range penalty from Mieres.

But Exeter went ahead on 14 minutes as captain Yeandle was at the bottom of a driving maul to touch down.

Skipper Van Velze led by example, bulldozing forward at every opportunity, and a Mieres penalty fell just short.

Warriors' Nick Schonert was replaced by Mike Daniels after injuring his shoulder.

Exeter went further ahead after 23 minutes as Sam Hill unleashed lock Lees, who powered through over the line.

Gareth Steenson converted to leave Warriors 12-3 behind despite playing productive rugby.

Mieres reduced the deficit with a second penalty before putting another attempt just wide before the break.

The heavens opened at the start of the second period, making the surface and ball slippery.

The visitors' pack forced Warriors on the back-foot and a powerful drive allowed Yeandle to crash over again with Steenson's fine conversion making it 19-6.

Warriors replied and winger Tom Biggs nearly found his way through before Exeter survived a series of penalties, which Mieres kicked into touch.

But number eight Waldrom put the icing on the cake for the visitors with a last-minute try.

Warriors: Pennell; Smith (Hammond 56), Grove, Symons (Fatiaki 51 - Stelling 78), Biggs; Mieres (Eden 75), Arr (Mulchrone 51); Bower (Rapava Ruskin 44), George (Annett 59), Schonert (Daniels 22), Scotland-Williamson (Percival 44), Sanderson, Williams (O'Shea 76), Cox (Betty 70), van Velze.