Press Conference Notes 19.04.18

Press Conference Notes

Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon and here’s what he had to say:

Harlequins game

  • We need to improve as we didn’t perform well against Wasps. When you’re playing a team in third-place you have to be on top of your game and we weren’t.
  • Quins will be a massive game. We must take lessons we’ve learned throughout the season and look at ways to improve.
  • The important thing is that the game is in our hands. We need a good performance.
  • Quins are a quality side with lots of Test experience. They are studded with internationals.
  • There are a merit of reasons to play well. We are at home in front of our fans, Chris Pennell will be making his 200th Club appearance and it will be Donncha O’Callaghan’s final game at the Club. So we want to finish with a win.
  • Hopefully we can produce a performance that befits the occasion.

Player availability

  • We are hopeful Francois Hougaard will be available for the Quins game. He will be fully integrated into training next week.
  • Joe Taufete’e is back and fully integrated within the squad.
  • Anton Bresler could be back for next week’s game.
  • Wynand Olivier (hamstring) and Ryan Mills (knee) are out for the season but should be okay for the start of pre-season.
  • Niall Annett is back in practices but won’t play before the end of the season. He’s looked good but there is no point in risking him.
  • Perry Humphreys is back in the mix. He is fully integrated back into practices.

Francois Hougaard

  • Francois told fans that he has retired from international rugby and that is great news for the Club as he’ll obviously be available more.
  • He is fully focused on Worcester Warriors and is also studying a business course as he prepares for life after the game which is something the Club does brilliantly by giving players dual-career assistance.

Chris Pennell reaching 200 games for Warriors

  • It’s a phenomenal effort. It is unusual for a player to play so many games for a club and to stay at one club for that length of time.
  • He is a good, intelligent sportsman and a leader who adds huge value to this Club.
  • He is a consistent and reliable performer.

Donncha O’Callaghan’s retirement

  • Donncha has had an unbelievable career. To have played as many Tests as he has is incredible.
  • He is an intelligent, level-headed bloke and I think he’ll make a success of whatever he turns his hand to.
  • He has looked after himself professionally and not too many players will be able to play till the age of 39. The collisions are heavier and the game is much faster.
  • He will want to play in front of his home crowd and pull down the curtain on his career.
  • He has been a wonderful servant to the game and done great for the Club for the past three seasons.
  • It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have coached him.

Andrew Kitchener

  • It’s been very good to get games under his belt. He is a very good young player.
  • He has had a tough Academy year but next year is his final one.

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