Worcester boss Solomons expects tough test at Saints

Worcester Warriors boss Alan Solomons is well aware of the threats Saints will pose his side on Boxing Day.
Alan SolomonsAlan Solomons
Alan Solomons

The Warriors and the Saints are currently the bottom two sides in the Gallagher Premiership, with Solomons' men two points better off than their hosts this weekend.

Saints have yet to win this season, while Worcester's sole success came was an 11-10 win at home to London Irish.

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And when asked what kind of encounter the Warriors are expecting to face at Franklin's Gardens this weekend, Solomons said: "It’s going to be a tough game, as they all are in the Premiership.

"If you look at their team overall they are a very powerful side with the likes of Nick Isiekwe, Courtney Lawes, Teimana Harrison, David Ribbans, Dan Biggar and Taqele Naiyarovoro. So they do have quality players.

"Sometimes teams get a run of results where things just don’t go your way.

"But the Premiership is a marathon, not a sprint. We have played only three matches so far and we will end the season with nine Premiership games on the trot."

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Worcester were undone by two former Saints players last weekend as they lost 38-29 to Ospreys.

George North scored a crucial late try, while Stephen Myler notched two conversions and four penalties in the Challenge Cup clash.

"With 13 minutes to go we were 29-18 up and in a powerful position, but in that final quarter we gave away six penalties, five of them at the contact area, that is what cost us," said Solomons.

"Overall we gave away 16 penalties to their nine. Of those penalties, nine were in the contact area and four in the maul."

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After four defeats from five matches in all competitions so far, Solomons was asked how he assesses his side's start to the season.

He said: "The season is still early days and it is still very much in its infancy but we need to improve our discipline and cut our errors to a minimum.

"As far as the European Rugby Challenge Cup is concerned, it is going to be difficult to progress but we could, and should, have won both games.

"The Challenge Cup has given us the opportunity to give game time to a number of players at a time when there is no Premiership Rugby Shield.

"In what is going to be an attritional season, giving those guys that game time is going to be very beneficial."